The Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community was held in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis during the period 2-4 July 1991.
The Heads of Government in attendance were: The Rt. Hon. Sir Lynden Pindling, Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, The Bahamas; The Rt. Hon. Erskine Sandiford, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Barbados; the Rt. Hon. George Price, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Belize; The Hon. Mary Eugenia Charles, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Dominica; The Hon. Nicholas Braithwaite, Prime Minister and Minister of External Affairs, Grenada; H.E. Hugh Desmond Hoyte, President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana; The Rt. Hon. Michael Manley, Prime Minister of Jamaica; The Hon. John Osborne, Chief Minister of Montserrat; Dr. The Rt. Hon. Kennedy Simmonds, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs and Finance, St. Kitts and Nevis; The Rt. Hon. John Compton, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Planning and Development and Home Affairs, Saint Lucia; The Rt. Hon. James Mitchell, Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; The Hon. A.N.R. Robinson, Prime Minister and Minister of the Economy, Trinidad and Tobago. Antigua and Barbuda was represented by dr. the Hon. Rodney Williams, Minister of Economic Development, Tourism and Industry.
Mr Roderick Rainford, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community chaired the Opening Ceremony held on the afternoon of Monday, 1 July at Warner Park, at the commencement of which one minute’s silence was observed in memory of the late Sir Arthur Lewis.
Dr. the Rt. Hon. Kennedy Simmonds, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Home Affairs and Finance, St. Kitts and Nevis delivered the Opening Address. He reaffirmed the need for CARICOM to intensify its pursuit of the goal of regional integration, ever concious of the need to cultivate and strengthen economic, trade and cultural relations with other countries of the wider Caribbean Region.
Statements were also delivered by The Rt. Hon. Michael Manley, Prime Minister of Jamaica; The Hon. John Osborne, Chief Minister of Monserrat; and The Rt. Hon. Sir Lynden O. Pindling, Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, The Bahamas.
The Heads of Government elected Dr. The Rt. Hon. Kennedy Simmonds, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis as Chairman of its Twelfth Meeting. They acknowledged the sterling services rendered by the out-going Chairman, the Rt. Hon. Michael Manley, Prime Minister, Jamaica, particularly his leadership in advancing to a conclusion the ACARICOM-USA Framework Agreement under the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative and the Agreement with Venezuela to work towards the establishment of one-way free trade access for CARICOM countries into the Venezuelan market.
President Carlos Andres Perez who was on a State Visit to St. Kitts and Nevis also addressed the Conference immediately after the close of the Opening Ceremony. The President and Dr. The Rt. Hon Kennedy Simmonds, acting on behalf of the Community, signed an Agreement between Venezuela and CARICOM in which both sides undertook to work together towards the establishment of one-way access of products of CARICOM countries into the Venezuelan market.
The Meeting was preceded on 23-27 June 1991 by the Thirty-Seventh Meeting of the Common Market Council; on 27-28 June 1991 by a Preparatory Meeting of Ministers, and on 1 July 1991 by the Fifteenth Meeting of the Standing Committee of Ministers responsible for Finance. In addition to considering recommendations from these Meetings, Heads also considered recommendations from the Seventeenth Meeting of the Standing Committee of Ministers responsible for Foreign Affairs and from The West Indian Commission. They held discussions with the Caribbean Congress of Labour, and the Caribbean Association of Industry and Commerce.
Heads warmly welcomed the presence of Prime Minister A.N.R. Robinson of Trinidad and Tobago at this Meeting of the Conference. They reaffirmed their unreserved condemnation of the assault on constitutional democracy, the rule of law and the sanctity of the Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago which had prevented his attendance at the Eleventh Meeting of the Conference in July 1990 and overshadowed its deliberations.
They drew attention to the resolution adopted by the XXI Regular General Assembly of the Organisation of American States, in June 1991, on representative Democracy in the hemisphere, condemning illegal interruptions of the constitutional process of Member States and prescribing action to be taken by the OAS in such situations.
Heads of Government expressed strong support for all regional efforts aimed at the preservation of the constitutional and democratic political systems of the Community and the preservation of the fundamental human rights and freedoms of its peoples. In this context they noted the progress made towards the establishment of a CARICOM Security Regime and stressed the urgency for its establishment.
Heads of Government recognised that the Twelfth Meeting of the Conference was convened against the background of changing geo-political circumstances, and continuing transformation of the international economic situation, thus increasing the urgency for commitment, cooperation and discipline among Member States of the Community in order to fulfil the goals set forth in the Treaty of Chaguaramas and to confront the challenges of the international environment.
GRANT OF ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY OF THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS AND THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS
In a first step towards widening the Community, Heads of Government approved and witnessed the signing of Agreements in which Associate Membership in the Caribbean Community was granted to the British Virgin Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands, and welcomed delegations from these territories which were led by their respective Chief Ministers.
APPLICATIONS FOR OBSERVER STATUS IN THE COMMUNITY
Heads of Government approved the granting of Observer Status to Anguilla in a number of Institutions of the Caribbean Community.
Heads of Government also approved the granting of Observer Status to Colombia in a number of Institutions of the Community.
DEVELOPMENTS WITH THE COMMUNITY
REGIONAL ECONOMIC CONFERENCE
Heads of Government congratulated the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago for taking the initiative to promote and to be host of the Regional Economic Conference which was held in Trinidad and Tobago in February 1991. They affirmed that the broad based consultative process leading up to the Conference was a unique approach to the involvement of the citizenry of the Community in preparing for the challenges of the twenty-first century.
Heads of Government pledged their commitment to the process of dialogue and consultation among the social partners, and forged that efforts of the Region be given to the strategies for human resources development, the preservation and enhancement of democratic traditions and processes, outward looking development strategies, and the widening and deepening of regional cooperation arrangements. They accepted the recommendations of the Regional Economic Conference itself that it be institutionalised as a Triennial Consultative Conference of the Social Partners and that during the course of the next triennium, consultations among the social partners will emphasise these priorities.
PROGRESS REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE WEST INDIAN COMMISSION
Heads of Government responded positively to the Progress Report on the work of the Independent West Indian Commission entitled “Towards a Vision of the Future” and commended the Commission for its invaluable analysis and recommendations. They agreed in particular, to the immediate commencement of efforts to advance action by the Community in the following six areas in the Common Market identified by the Commission:
- Travelling in the Region
- Free Movement of skilled persons
- Steps towards a Common Currency
- Enlarging investment
- Creating the CARICOM Single Market
- Mobilisation for International Negotiations
They also endorsed the Commission’s observation that there is need to establish adequate machinery for the implementation of Community decisions. Accordingly, Heads of Government agreed to employ the strategy advanced by the Prime Minister of Barbados, at their Eleventh Meeting in Kingston, to the effect that individual Heads of Government would accept responsibility for implementation in each of the six areas.
Heads attached particular importance to giving early attention to ensuring “hassle-free” travel and freedom of movement of skilled and professional CARICOM nationals within the Region, and recognised that due attention should be paid to the needs of hucksters and higglers who account for an important part of intra-regional trade.
Heads further expressed support for the Commission’s proposal for the establishment of an effective intra-regional communication network and for the need to confront the social issues affecting West Indian Society.
They also welcomed the commissioning of fifteen studies on vital areas of relevance to the Community as inputs into the Commission’s work and looked forward to their completion and dissemination throughout the Region.
Heads of Government encouraged the Commission to continue its work and looked forward to receiving its final reports at their Thirteenth Regular Meeting in July 1992.
TRENDS IN THE REGIONAL ECONOMY
Heads of Government reviewed the recent trends in the regional economy. They observed that most CARICOM countries had performed creditably during 1990, despite adverse international economic developments. Heads noted that national policies of adjustment, tighter fiscal management and greater focus on increasing competitiveness in the international market place were beginning to take effect. They resolved to sustain the efforts being made in their respective national economies to consolidate the bases for balanced growth and development.
TOWARDS A SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY
Heads of Government, in reviewing the progress made towards the implementation of the measures identified in the Grand Anse Declaration and Work Programme for the Advancement of the Integration Movement, welcomed the commencement of cross listing and cross trading of securities on the stock exchanges of Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago as a first step towards the development of a full regional capital market. As a further step towards increasing the flow of capital throughout the region, they agreed to principle to proposals which were before them for the establishment of a Caribbean Investment Fund.
Heads of Government, however, expressed regret that the implementation of the Common External Tariff (CET) and the CARICOM Rules of Origin was behind schedule, with only seven of the twelve Common Market States having implemented the CET to date, and eight having ratified the Revised Rules of Origin. They noted and endorsed a new target date of 1 October 1991, set by the Common Market Council, for the simultaneous introduction of these two instruments. Heads of Government urged that this new deadline be met since these instruments constitute an integral part of the creation of a CARICOM Single Market and Economy.
Heads of Government endorse the decision of the Thirty-Seventh Meeting of the Common Market Council to convene a Special Ministerial Meeting in October 1991 to consider the measures outstanding for the liberalisation of intra-CARICOM trade, and the programme for the introduction of a CARICOM Single Market and Economy.
REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION
Heads of Government reviewed efforts aimed at implementing the mandate in the Grand Anse Declaration that there should be established in 1992, an effective system of sea and air transportation in the Region. They noted the initiatives aimed at developing the regional maritime transportation sector.
Heads of Government agreed to a payment schedule for outstanding amounts due to WISCO by Shareholder States to facilitate the operations of the Corporation up to mid-1992. They also noted the proposals by WISCO to introduce new services in an effort to meet the shipping needs of the Region.
Heads of Government noted the progress being made towards the privatisation of BWIA and LIAT (1974) Ltd. they also endorsed the recommendations of the Ministers of Civil Aviation that further negotiations be undertaken with the United Kingdom, for a multilateral Air Services Agreement between the United Kingdom and countries in the Eastern Caribbean.
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT
Heads of Government recognised the need for sharper policy focus on the development of the regional tourist industry at the highest level. They therefore welcomed the proposal by Jamaica to convene a Special Conference, separate from the regular Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Tourism Organisation, to consider policies and strategies for the development of the regional tourist industry. Participation would be at the level of Heads of Government and would include representatives of the private sector.
ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT
Heads of Government recognised the importance of the forthcoming United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). They urged greater participation by Member States in its remaining preparatory stages so as to develop an effective strategy which might be pursued by the Caribbean Community at the Conference itself.
Heads of Government noted that negotiations on three International Conventions regarding Climate Change, Biodiversity and forestry were due to be completed in time for possible signature at UNCED, and emphasised the critical importance of a climate Change Convention to the islands and low-lying coastal states of the Community. Given the importance of these Conventions, Heads urged that Members States participate more effectively in these negotiations.
Heads of Government also attached high priority to treating with land-based pollution, in particular to the effective treatment of solid wastes.
Heads of Government reiterated support for the Guyana rain Forest Project and urged international support for the pilot Project which should form an integral part of the programme of the Caribbean Community to be proposed at UNCED. They also agreed to support the Tropical Forestry Action Plans of Member States.
Heads of Government acknowledged the need for effective liaison with regional Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) concerned with Environment and Development to ensure that the presentations of these NGOs at the International NGO Conference, slated for 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, are reflective of national goals and regional perspectives.
Heads of Government welcomed the offer of one of their Members to accept responsibility for supervising action in the area of the Environment.
THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A REGIONAL CENTRE FOR DRUG LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
Heads of Government endorsed the proposal by the Government of Jamaica for the establishment of a Regional Training Centre for Drug Law Enforcement Officers working in the area of apprehension of users and traffickers of narcotics and psychotropic substances. They agreed that the development of this Project would be pursued as one of two or more possible regional centres for such training, for which the Region would support efforts for the mobilisation of international resources.
They also agreed that in the development of the project, care be taken to ensure that in its design and operation it extends and complements similar initiatives in train elsewhere in the Region. To this end, the Regional High Level Ad Hoc Committee which Heads of Government established to monitor the development of the Regional Drug Abuse Abatement and Control Programme should be fully involved in finalising the details of the project.
INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY
CARICOM Honour for Outstanding CARICOM Nationals
Heads of Government welcomed the report of the Secretary-General that the Inter-Governmental Agreement instituting the Order of the Caribbean Community, had entered into force in May, 1991 and that administrative procedures were now accordingly being established to facilitate the making of recommendations for awards.
Heads of Government decided however, to designate Mr. Williams Demas, Sir Shridath Ramphal and Mr. Derek Walcott for conferment of the award at a date to be determined.
Assembly of Caribbean Parliamentarians
Heads of Government noted the progress made with respect to the establishment of the Assembly of Caribbean Parliamentarians and agreed on the terms of the Draft Inter-Governmental Agreement which were to be revised for consideration by Member States and possible signature.
The Caribbean Court of Appeal
Heads of Government noted that in the ongoing effort towards the establishment of a Caribbean Court of Appeal, a previously prepared Draft Inter-Governmental Agreement was being revised for presentation of Members States for their consideration.
CARICOM Disaster Emergency Response Agency
Heads of Government noted with satisfaction the entry into force of the Inter-Governmental Agreement establishing the CARICOM Disaster Emergency Response Agency and looked forward to the necessary steps being taken to ensure that the Agency becomes quickly operational.
Standing Committee of Ministers Responsible for Information
Heads of Government approved the recommendations of the information Ministers that a Standing Committee of Ministers responsible for Information be established. In doing so, they were conscious of the role that such a Standing Committee could play in responding to the urgent and continuing need for advancing integration through regional information and communication flows.
PEOPLE CENTRED ACTIVITIES IN 1992
Heads of Government, having recognised that the celebration of significant regional events in 1992 would enhance the spirit of regional unity and facilitate the process of functional cooperation, reiterated that the occasion of the Quincentennial: Encounter between Two Worlds, should promote global recognition of the creative genius of the Caribbean people as a whole, and make with the greatest clarity, a statement about the history of Caribbean achievements and contributions to the world, taking fully into account those of the indigenous peoples of the Region.
Against this background, they noted plans for CARIFESTA, the Regional Trade Fair 1992 and the ongoing programmes for the Quincentennial: Encounter Between Two Worlds.
CARIFESTA
Heads of Government expressed satisfaction with the preparations for CARIFESTA, to be hosted by Trinidad and Tobago from 9-16 August 1992 and pledged that their countries would contribute in every way to ensure that the Festival is successful.
Heads of Government reiterated the expectation that CARIFESTA, being the major multi-disciplinary festival of the Arts and Culture in the region, would serve to affirm the identity, artistic achievements and the rich and varied culture of the CARICOM Member States.
They welcomed the plans to incorporate events related to the commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of Haitian independence through the highlighting of the Haitian art and culture as an integral part of CARIFESTA.
Regional Trade Fair 1992
Heads of Government noted the preparations being made to stage the Regional trade Fair after CARIFESTA in 1992, in Trinidad and Tobago, and the plans to attract the widest possible representation of exhibitors form the Community, as well as from non-CARICOM countries.
Heads were satisfied with the work of the Project Steering Committee, supported by the Trinidad and Tobago Export development Corporation and the CARICOM Export Development Project, which provided an excellent opportunity for the social partners to collaborate in this important regional economic event.
Quincentennial: The Encounter Between Two Worlds
Heads noted with interest the additional programmes being planned by Member States for 1992, including a series of international cultural exchanges and an “African Heritage Cultural Month” scheduled to take place in The Bahamas, as well as an International Conference on “Centuries of achievement” to be held in Trinidad and Tobago.
Heads also noted that some Member States of the Community would be represented at the Seville Universal exposition in Spain, thus providing another stage on which the region could project its uniqueness and create openings in new markets.
Proposal to Establish a Regional Television Communication Hook-up
Heads of Government considered a proposal by Trinidad and Tobago for a project to install suitable infrastructure in all CARICOM Member states to permit viewers of national television stations to tune in to the programmes of other Members States.
Recognising the critical importance of the regional communication network for involving the peoples of the Region in community building, furthering Caribbean integration, and preserving Caribbean identity, values and culture, Heads of Government agreed to support the Project. Heads also agreed that the Project should be operational from 1992, in time to contribute to the observance of the various events.
JOINT/COORDINATED REPRESENTATION
Heads of Government reiterated that in view of the small size and limited resources of individual CARICOM Member States, joint/coordinated external representation would be in the interest of Member States and of the Region as a whole.
They therefore agreed to continue their efforts towards establishing effective mechanisms to achieve this objective.
EXTERNAL RELATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY
CARICOM-LATIN AMERICA RELATIONS
Heads of Government noted the intensification of relations between CARICOM and Latin American States at both the bilateral and regional levels. Heads noted, with particular satisfaction, the joint activities of CARICOM and Latin American states since the entry of CARICOM into the Rio Group and looked forward to the strengthening of these relations.
CARICOM-CENTRAL AMERICA RELATIONS
Heads of Government considered with interest a proposal from the President of Honduras for the convening, late in 1991, of a High Level Meeting between the countries of the Central American and CARICOM Regions. They were of the view that such a Meeting could be of much value in laying the basis for strengthening relations between the two sub-regions in political, economic, social and cultural matters. Heads of Government accordingly agreed that consultations should be pursued appropriately with the Government of Honduras on the modalities and the agenda for the proposed CARICOM/Central American meeting, which they believed could be convened at Ministerial level.
CARICOM/VENEZUELA RELATIONS
Heads of Government expressed satisfaction at the progress made in strengthening trade and economic relations between the Caribbean Community and Venezuela. They welcomed the signing in Basseterre by His Excellency the President of Venezuela, of an Agreement with CARICOM to work towards the establishment of one-way free trade access to Venezuela by Member States of the Caribbean Community. The commencement of negotiations to this end will take place by the middle of September 1991.
Heads of Government also considered a proposal from the Government of Venezuela for the development of a Multilateral Agreement on Air and Sea Transportation and agreed to send a technical mission to Venezuela to initiate discussions on the matter.
GUYANA/VENEZUELA RELATIONS
Heads of Government reviewed the status of relations between Guyana and Venezuela, recording their satisfaction with the continued expansion of functional cooperation in several areas, including the private sector, the military, health, education, and energy sectors.
Heads of Government welcomed the efforts undertaken by the personal representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr Alister McIntyre, to maintain and advance the search for a solution to the controversy.
In taking note of these several developments, Heads of Government reaffirmed support for the territorial integrity of Guyana, and expressed confidence that the fulfilment of the McIntyre Process would lead to a resolution of the controversy to the satisfaction of both countries.
BELIZE/GUATEMALA
Heads of Government reviewed the state of the negotiations between Belize and Guatemala in the pursuit of an equitable solution to the problems between the two countries.
Heads of government called on the Governments of Belize and Guatemala to continue negotiations and expressed the hope that all the points already agreed upon would be enshrined in a comprehensive treaty.
Head of Government reaffirmed their resolve to maintain regional and international support for Belize’s independence and territorial integrity and urged the Government of the United Kingdom and other friendly Governments to support efforts by Belize and Guatemala to develop programmes of benefit to the two countries.
HAITI
Heads of Government received a report of the situation that has arisen between Haiti and the Dominican Republic over the announced repatriation of Haitians below the age of 16 and over the age of 60. They express the hope that this issue would be settled by the two Governments speedily and to their mutual satisfaction.
They stood ready to provide their good offices to both countries if it was felt that this would assist the process.
SURINAME
Heads noted recent developments in Suriname and stressed the importance of instituting arrangements that promoted political stability and democracy in that country, so as to preserve and strengthen its relations with CARICOM and with the wider hemispheric community.
HEMISPHERIC DEVELOPMENTS
The Organisation of American States
Heads of Government welcomed the accession of Belize and Guyana to membership of the Organisation of American States following the entry into force of the Protocol of Cartagena. Heads of Government noted with satisfaction that, with the admission of these two Members States of the Caribbean Community, the principle of universality of membership of regional organisations and arrangements had been further advanced.
Enterprise for the Americas Initiative
Heads of Government agreed to conclude by the end of July 1991, a Trade and Investment framework Agreement with the USA in the context of the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative (EAI).
They were of the view that the creation of a CARICOM-United States Council of Trade and Investment would enable the Community to pursue with the USA, trade and investment issues of particular importance to its Member States. Heads strongly urged that in these discussions due recognition be given to the disparity in the levels of economic development between the United States and CARICOM countries.
Heads of Government also urged that the United States complete all necessary steps to implement the debt and investment components of the EAI.
CARICOM-EEC RELATIONS
Programming of Regional Resources under Lomé IV
Heads of Government reviewed developments towards the preparation of a programme of regional projects for Caribbean ACP states and noted that the Commission of the European Communities had earmarked 90 million ECU for the programming of regional projects under the Lomé IV Convention, an amount which did not reflect the expansion, under Lomé IV, of the Caribbean ACP Group of countries.
Heads of Government urged that the process of the collective programming exercise be accelerated and that it be responsive to region-wide interests, as well as to the specific interests of all Caribbean Forum States.
Heads of Government called for urgent steps to be taken by Member States of the EEC to compete the process of ratification of the Lomé IV Convention, in order to facilitate the appraisal, approval and implementation of regional programmes.
Export of Bananas into the EEC Market
Heads of Government reviewed the developments in the European Community towards the formulation of common rules to govern the banana trade after the coming into being of the Single European Market in 1992.
Heads of Government noted the work done by the Heads of the Caribbean Banana Exporting States in advancing the ACP case in Europe. They resolved to continue the CARICOM and ACP lobby efforts and to work with the European Commission, individual EC Member States, the Community itself and the banana traders in Europe to ensure that the commitment given in the Lomé IV Convention is honoured and that traditional ACP suppliers are made no worse off in the Single Europe Market.
INTERNATIONAL ISSUES
SOUTH AFRICA
Heads of Government expressed grave concern at the continuing violence taking place in South Africa and at the failure on the part of the South African authorities to deal effectively with the situation.
Against this background of international violence, they were heartened by the Conference of 22 June, at which agreement was reached between the Government and major civic and political organisations on a programme to eliminate civil strife in the country. They called upon the South African authorities to discharge their responsibilities towards fulfilment of the objectives of this accord.
Heads of Government were encouraged by the steps recently taken by the de Klerk Government to repeal the main legislative pillars of the apartheid system.
Within the framework of the general application of sanctions against South Africa Heads of Government, conscious of the trend at the international level to delink sport that organised on a multi-racial basis in South Africa, from the general application of sanctions, signified their readiness to lend their support on a case-by-case basis to international contact with South Africa in such areas of sport.
At the specific request of the African National Congress, they signified their readiness to support the admission of the United Cricket Board of South Africa to the International Cricket Council.
THE EXTERNAL DEBT PROBLEM
Heads of Government welcomed the recent initiatives being taken at the hemispheric and global levels to address the problem of the indebtedness of developing countries. They noted, in particular, the efforts being made to address the problems of the lower middle-income countries, such as the application of the terms agreed by the Group of Seven countries in Houston last year. They noted that proposals had also emerged to further address this problem of low-income countries and urged the Paris Club to speedily conclude consideration of these proposals.
Heads reiterated the view that arrangements to address the problem of indebtedness should include measures which significantly reduce the interest on outstanding debt and also reduce the stock of existing debt. They observed that approximately one third of the outstanding debt of Caribbean countries was owed to the multilateral financial institutions and urged that these institutions made a greater effort to provide debt relief.
Heads of Government welcomed the progress made by the US government to implement the debt proposal made with the context of the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative, but expressed concern that the modification proposed by the US Congress could seriously erode the potential benefits.
MIDDLE EAST
Heads of Government noted the developments in the Middle East since their last meeting resulting in the restoration of the sovereignty of Kuwait. They welcomed initiatives to foster understanding among the countries and peoples of the region and reiterated their support for the right of all States in the Region to live in peace and security within recognised and secure borders.
ASIA AND THE PACIFIC
Heads of government noted the increasing interaction between certain States of the Community and countries of Asia and the Pacific as evidenced by the increasing economic and technical cooperation among these countries.
Heads of Government welcomed these initiatives and agreed that these efforts should be further strengthened.
DATE AND VENUE OF THE NEXT MEETING
Heads of Government accepted the offer of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago to host the Thirteenth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in July 1992 as well as the offer of the Government of The Bahamas to host the Fourteenth Regular Meeting of the Conference in 1993. They also agreed to hold their Third Inter-Sessional Meeting in Jamaica on 19 February 1992.
