(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The major strides in achieving the underlying objectives of the first Joint Meeting of the Councils for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) and Human and Social Development (COHSOD) held in September 2001 were not only symbolic but helped to consolidate the spirit of Community which now infused all regional considerations, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) His Excellency Edwin Carrington said Thursday.
Delivering remarks at the opening of the Second Joint Meeting of the COTED/COHSOD at Buddy’s International Hotel in Georgetown, the Secretary-General pointed out that most of the issues that were in their embryonic stages seven years ago, had come to fruition. For example, the CARICOM Passport and the establishment of common lines for citizens, residents and CARICOM nationals at Regional airports were now in place.
Those strides, he said, had been made in a global environment that has changed dramatically. He noted the impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States on the security and tourism industry of the Region, as well as the erosion of preferential arrangements with Europe for bananas, sugar and other agricultural products.
Those changes served to fortify the Community’s resolve to push ahead with deepening the integration process, the Secretary-General said. He referred to the establishment of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) in 2005, the launching of the CARICOM Single Market in 2006 and the revision of the Treaty of Basseterre last year, and the inauguration of the CARICOM Competition in Suriname on 18 January 2008.
“When you add to this the signing last 16 December of the new Economic Partnership Agreement with Europe, which changes fundamentally and forever our relations with that Continent, then one gets the full picture of the dynamism of the times and of the integration process,” the Secretary-General said.
Mr Carrington recognised the “vibrant leadership” of former Prime Minister of Barbados, The Rt. Hon. Owen Arthur in advancing the work of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
“As we move forward in this venture to consolidate the gains and to create a viable CSME and a Community for all, I am sure that you will wish me on your behalf to acknowledge the tremendous role played by the former Prime Minister of Barbados the Rt. Honourable Owen Arthur as Head of Government with Lead Responsibility for the Implementation of the CSME, for his vibrant leadership that helped in no small measure to shape this robust agenda that forms the basis of our deliberations today and over the following two days,” the Secretary-General said.
The highly symbolic second meeting, he said, brought together two Councils which signalled the thrust towards greater inter-sectoral collaboration that is crucial to the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). That inter-sectoral exchange, he said, that brought together the contending and complementary social and economic perspectives of the regional development, is a “dynamic fusion” that augurs well for the future of the Community.
Issues on the meeting’s agenda include the growing recognition of the importance of social and cultural agendas in the formulation of trade policy. Trade in Educational Services, Cultural Industries and Trade-related Intellectual Property Rights, Trade Issues Impacting on Health and a Regional Policy Framework for Science, Technology and Innovation.
Dr. the Honourable Henry Jeffrey, Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation of Guyana and co-chairs of the Meeting, the Honourable Karl Samuda, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Jamaica and the Honourable Bertrand Joseph, Minister of Education, Youth and Sport of Antigua and Barbuda also made remarks at the opening ceremony.
