Ministers responsible for Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Affairs began meeting in Georgetown, Guyana today 11 June, 1999 at the Secretariat’s Headquarters.
At this the Fourth Meeting of the Community Council of Ministers, the second highest decision-making forum of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ministers will discuss a range of matters including measures to improve the functioning of the Secretariat.
In brief opening remarks, Chairman of the Meeting Suriname’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Errol Snijders noted that with the challenges of the approaching new millennium, the Secretariat needs to be fully equipped to perform its role.
The Community Council of Ministers will examine preparations for the 20th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government which takes place in Trinidad and Tobago on 4 – 7 July, 1999, and the Region’s readiness to face the challenges associated with the Y2K phenomenon.
The Ministers will also review Caribbean preparations for participation in Expo 2000, an international exposition being staged in Hanover, Germany to greet the new millenium.
The Community Council is mainly responsible for the development of strategic planning and coordination in the areas of economic integration, functional co-operation and external relations in CARICOM.
