The Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community and the Group of Three and the Vice President of Suriname met in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on 12th 13th October, 1993. The Heads of State and Government in attendance were: The Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham, Prime Minister, The Bahamas; The Rt. Hon. Erskine Sandiford, Prime Minister, Barbados; The Rt. Hon. Manuel Esquivel, Prime Minister, Belize; H.E. Dr. Cheddi Jagan, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana; The Rt. Hon. P.J. Patterson, Prime Minister, Jamaica; Dr. The Rt. Hon. Kennedy Simmonds, Prime Minister, St. Kitts and Nevis; The Rt. Hon. John Compton, Prime Minister, Saint Lucia; The Rt. Hon. James Mitchell, Prime Minister, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; Hon. Patrick Manning, Prime Minister, Trinidad and Tobago; H.E. Cesar Gaviria Trujillo, President of the Republic of Colombia; H.E. Carlos Salinas De Gortari, President of the United States of Mexico and H.E. Ramon J. Velasquez, President of the Republic of Venezuela.
Dr. Jules Rattankoemar Ajodhia, Vice President of Suriname, Hon. Lester Bird, Minister of External Affairs and Economic Planning, Antigua and Barbuda; and Hon. Joan Purcell, Minister of Communications and Works, Grenada, represented their respective countries.
Also in attendance was Hon. Ralph O’Neal, Deputy Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands.
The Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community and the Group of Three and the Vice President of Suriname recognized the historical significance of this Summit Meeting as a positive development in the process of increasing political consensus which is developing in Latin America and the Caribbean. They reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals of peace, freedom and democracy and agreed that through solidarity and coordinated action, they could contribute to the solution of the problems facing the Region.
The Presidents of the Group of Three and the Vice President of Suriname applauded the Twentieth Anniversary of the Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Community and drew attention to the significance of this achievement as providing powerful evidence of the strength and dynamism of the Regional Integration process.
The parties agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation as an instrument for the promotion of economic and social development for mutual benefit. They reaffirmed their decision to foster cooperation programmes in development of small and medium-sized enterprises, transport and communications, agricultural diversification, social and human resource development, the fight against the illicit traffic in drugs and psychotropic substances, tourism, science and technology, disaster prevention and mitigation, preservation of the environment and the promotion of culture.
The Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community and the Group of Three and the Vice President of Suriname agreed on the importance of active involvement by the private sector in economic cooperation, promotion of trade and investment in the Region and expansion of business opportunities. They expressed their satisfaction with respect to the forthcoming Meeting of Entrepreneurs from their respective countries, which is scheduled to take place by the second half of 1994 and which will be sponsored by the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
They stated their willingness to make every effort to achieve substantial increase in trade, making it more stable and balanced, in accordance with the interests of their countries. They expressed a commitment to the establishment of a wider economic space among the countries of the Caribbean Community, Suriname and the Group of Three.
The parties underlined the importance of the Agreement on Trade and Investment between CARICOM and Venezuela signed in October, 1992, which constitutes a valuable mechanism for increasing the process of Regional integration, and which will make possible a substantial increase in intra-Regional trade.
On the question of international trade, they stressed the importance of an early and successful conclusion of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade negotiations within the GATT in a manner which will contribute to the harmonious development of world trade and consequently, to the economic growth and social progress of the Region. They also recognized that the future of the economies of the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean will depend significantly as much on the success with which they can diversify and modernise as on the behaviour of the global market.
The parties discussed the issue of bananas and agreed that their interests were not irreconcilable. The Heads of State of the G3 countries recognized the importance of the Treaty obligations for the Caribbean countries including Suriname under the Lome Convention, but also expressed the view that their own special concerns should be addressed. The two sides agreed to work at all levels and in every relevant forum towards a solution that takes into account the interest of all parties concerned.
The parties agreed that the entry into force of NAFTA could generate opportunities for the Caribbean countries. They also agreed that its implementation must take into account the concerns and special position of the small developing countries of the Region.
The Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community and the Vice President of Suriname took note of the firm intention of the Group of Three to establish a Free Trade area. They acknowledged that it will not only generate benefits for the Group of Three members, but should also provide opportunities for expanded trade with the Caribbean Community and Suriname.
The parties expressed their conviction that the solution of development problems needed to be accorded the highest priority on the hemispheric agenda. They emphasized that every opportunity should be taken to advance this objective. In this context, they agreed that the Special Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States on Inter-American Cooperation for Development, to be held in Mexico in the first quarter of 1994, constitutes and early opportunity to initiate a concerted process in the search for strategies and programmes to promote sustainable economic growth and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Presidents of Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela and the Vice President of Suriname expressed their support for the initiative taken by the Heads of Government of CARICOM towards the establishment of an Association of Caribbean States and confirmed their willingness to participate as full members in such an Association. They agreed on the importance of this initiative, taken by the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, which will contribute to the process of economic integration and cooperation among all the developing countries and territories of the Caribbean Basin. The Heads of State and Government agreed to further consultations leading to the early signature of the Constituent Assembly of the Association.
The parties recognized that the establishment of the Association of Caribbean States will provide a permanent forum for dialogue as well as consolidate an enlarged economic space with a market of more than 190 million inhabitants and a Gross National Product (GNP) greater than US$500 billion.
The Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community and the Group of Three and the Vice President of Suriname acknowledged the efforts of the Caribbean Development Bank to foster social and economic development in the Region. The Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community underlined the valuable participation of Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela as regional non-borrowing members of the Bank in support of the programmes and projects of the Caribbean nations.
The parties reaffirmed their political commitment to the outcome of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, and in particular, to its Programme of Action known as Agenda 21 and the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development. They expressed their satisfaction with the results of the First Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development at which the international community took the first step towards the implementation of Agenda 21.
The Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community and the Group of Three and the Vice President of Suriname, considering that the Caribbean Sea contains a number of small Island States and territories, the sustainable development of which will be a critical factor in the overall development of the Region, agreed to participate actively in the United Nations Global Conference on the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, to be held in Barbados in 1994, and in the follow up to that Conference as it relates to the Caribbean.
The Presidents of the countries of the Group of Three expressed their intention to develop cooperation projects in the context of the Bolivar Programme for Regional Technological Integration, Innovation and Industrial Competitiveness. They urged the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community and the Vice President of Suriname to promote the early establishment of National Commissions and mechanisms which would guarantee the effective participation of their countries in the programme.
The parties reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing cultural links, both at he bilateral and multilateral levels, as well as in the context of the meetings of Ministers of Culture of Latin America and the Caribbean.
They agreed on the importance of CARIFESTA as a vehicle for intensifying cultural exchanges among the peoples of the Caribbean Basin. The Presidents of the countries of the Group of Three and the Vice President of Suriname welcomed the hosting by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago of CARIFESTA VI in 1995 and also the invitation extended by the Caribbean Community to all other Caribbean Basin countries to participate in that and future CARIFESTAS.
The parties recognized the necessity of pursuing effective social policies as a support to the sustainable development of their societies. They emphasized the importance of enhancing the delivery of social services in areas such as education and health. They recognized the need to foster links among the different social sectors and to strengthen the relevant social institutions at both national and regional levels. The Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community and the Group of Three and the Vice President of Suriname also agreed to exchange experiences and to implement joint programmes. In this regard, the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community and the Vice President of Suriname expressed their support for the convening of a Seminar with the support of the Organization of American States (OAS) to explore means of optimising the utilisation of public sector resources in the social field.
Conscious that drug trafficking constitutes a threat to democracy and to the highest values of our society and that the fight against this scourge will call for the joint efforts of the international community, the Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community, and the Group of Three and the Vice President of Suriname decided to develop closer relations through the signing of joint agreements, the coordination of activities among police authorities and security agents, the exchange of information and intelligence, the training of personnel engaged in the fight and the prevention of the scourge of drug trafficking, money laundering and the misuse of chemical precursors. This joint effort reaffirms the rejection by their governments of this illicit activity against which they have directed their economic and political efforts at the Bilateral as well as Community level.
They agreed on the need to attain the full entry into force of the regime prohibiting the proliferation of nuclear weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean, as established in the Treaty of Tlatelolco which represents a major step towards the consolidation of peace and security at the regional and global levels. They expressed the desire that all Latin American and Caribbean nations would soon adhere to this Treaty.
The Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community and the Group of Three and the Vice President of Suriname reaffirmed their commitment to foster integration among the countries of the Region, in particular with those of Central America, as an important element for the promotion of the socio-economic development of their peoples.
The parties noted the ongoing process of the re-integration of Cuba into the economic and political relations of Latin America and the Caribbean and agreed on the importance of deepening dialogue and cooperation with that nation.
They expressed their satisfaction with the signing of the Action Plan for cooperation among the Caribbean Community, Suriname and the Group of Three, which constitutes a framework for cooperation for mutual benefit.
They highlighted the excellent atmosphere of friendship in which their discussions took place and undertook to initiate immediately all actions required for the implementation of the Agreements reached.
The Heads of State and Government agreed to maintain their dialogue and, in this context, to convene summit meetings on a regular basis.
The Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community and the Group of Three and the Vice President of Suriname expressed their thanks to the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago for their generous hospitality.
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
13 OCTOBER 1993
DECLARATION ON HAITI
The Heads of States and Government of the Caribbean Community and the Group of Three and the Vice President of Suriname meeting in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago:
Concerned about recent events in Haiti and their potentially serious consequences;
Recognizing the concern expressed by the international community regarding the situation in that country;
Aware that incidents of escalating violence within Haiti are aimed at frustrating the restoration of the democratic process in Haiti;
Noting the commitment of the Caribbean Community to sponsor inthe UNGA a Resolution calling for the execution of a special programme of assistance for Haiti similar to that established in1988 for Central America on the initiative of the Presidents of that Region,
Have agreed to –
Reiterate the imperative of compliance by the de facto regime in Haiti with the terms of the Governor’s Island Accord signed in July 1993, to provide for the return of President Jean Bertrand Aristide to Haiti on 30th October, 1993;
Condemn the continuing intimidation of the local population, the representatives of UN/OAS Civilian Mission and Members of the press in Haiti to assist in the transition to democracy;
Urge the reestablishment of constitutional order and the consolidation of democracy in Haiti;
Express their willingness to take joint action in support of the efforts being made by the United Nations and the Organization of American States towards the economic, political and social development of Haiti;
Support the proposal for the extension of the mandate of the Ad Hoc Committee of Foreign Ministers of the OAS for a period of 90 days from the date of the return of President Jean Bertrand Aristide to Haiti.
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
13 October 1993
PORT-OF-SPAIN DECLARATION ON TRADE AND INVESTMENT
The Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community, Suriname and the Group of Three:
In the spirit of friendship and cooperation existing among the Caribbean Community, Suriname and the Group of Three:
Desirous of strengthening economic relations among the Caribbean Community, Suriname and the Group of Three, and supporting the integration process of the Region through the creation of increased trade and investment opportunities;
Determined to encourage a more dynamic involvement of all economic participants, in particular the private sector, in the efforts towards the deepening of economic relations among the Caribbean Community, Suriname and the Group of Three;
Recalling the visionary Treaty of Chaguaramas which twenty years ago set in motion the process of integration of the Caribbean Community;
Bearing in mind the Agreement on Trade and Investment between Venezuela and CARICOM in October, 1992;
Noting the negotiations for a Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement between CARICOM and Colombia;
Recognizing the interest shown by Mexico in negotiating a comprehensive Agreement on Trade and Investment with the countries of CARICOM and Suriname;
Considering the importance of all these efforts towards the development of an expanded trade zone of approximately 150 million inhabitants with a gross domestic product in excess of $450 billion, comprising 17 countries with an area of 4.5 million square kilometres, in addition to their exclusive economic zones;
Recognizing the achievements made in negotiations for trade liberalisation by the Group of Three;
Building on the initiative of the Caribbean Community to broaden the possibilities of systematic cooperation among the developing countries of the Caribbean Basin through the establishment of the Association of Caribbean States;
Taking into account the valuable support given by Colombia, Mexico, Venezuela and Suriname to this initiative and reaffirming their willingness to participate in its establishment;
Recognizing the importance of achieving effective participation of the Caribbean Community, Suriname and The Group of Three in the global economy;
Committed to the process of integration and to this end they have committed themselves to developing convergent action with a view to the establishment of a Free Trade Zone among the countries of the Caribbean Community, Suriname and the Group of Three;
They have agreed:
To establish a follow-up group to review the experiences and initiatives on trade liberalisation within the hemisphere and elsewhere in order to analyse and evaluate the development of trade and investment as a basis for the formulation of co-operation policies among the countries of the Caribbean Community, Suriname and The Group of Three;
To mandate the follow-up group to report at the appropriate political level, on the results of their efforts.
PORT-OF-SPAIN, TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
13 OCTOBER 1993
ACTION PLAN FOR COOPERATION AMONG THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY, SURINAME AND THE GROUP OF THREE
The Heads of Government of the Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) comprising Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, the Vice President of Suriname and the presidents of the countries of The Group of Three, comprising Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela, assembled in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on 12th and 13th October, 1993:
Taking into account that The Group of Three was established as a mechanism for the promotion of integration among its members and for the strengthening of reciprocal cooperation with the countries of Caribbean and Central America;
Acknowledging the progress made in the process of Caribbean integration within the framework of the Caribbean Community and Common Market;
Wishing to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation that have united the Caribbean nations with those of The Group of Three;
Bearing in mind the coincidence of interests among the Caribbean Community, Suriname and The Group of Three;
Convinced that social and economic development, in particular, the struggle against poverty, are key elements for peace, stability the strengthening of democratic institutions and the attainment of better living standards for their peoples;
Taking into account the importance of expanding cooperation among them, through the execution of joint activities, without prejudice to bilateral initiatives;
Expressing their firm desire to consolidate cooperation through the execution of specific regional projects which accord with the priorities of the CARICOM integration process;
Recognizing the crucial importance of locating such cooperation within the perspective and the future institutional framework of the proposed association of Caribbean States;
Have agreed on the following action plan for cooperation among the Caribbean Community, Suriname and The Group of Three, with the following objectives:
| (A) To strengthen the economic base from which to develop and expand social, cultural and economic relations among their countries in addition to the programmes being developed and implemented at the bilateral level;
(B) To increase trade and investment flows and to foster the competitiveness of the production sectors, thus contributing to the well-being of their peoples and the enhancement of links among the private sectors of CARICOM, Suriname and The Group of Three; (C) To develop regional programmes and projects which help to raise the standard of living of their peoples, and at the same time to strengthen cooperation in trade, communications, transport, tourism, the environment and energy, among others. |
On the basis of these objectives they shall commence cooperative activities in the following priority areas:
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
Conscious that the changes occurring in the global environment and the ongoing integration of Latin America and the Caribbean into the international trade arena demand that the region adopt new approaches to securing business and trade opportunities: agree:
| (A) To create a favourable environment for the promotion of trade and cross-border investment among CARICOM, Suriname and The Group ofThree;
(B) To examine all alternatives with respect to the competitive sourcing of raw materials, intermediate and finished products in each other’s countries and to joint production and marketing, particularly with a view to servicing the large markets of Europe, including eastern Europe, North America and East Asia; (C) To continue trade negotiations with a view to concluding an agreement that will promote increased commercial exchanges and, consequently, increased interaction among the private sectors of their respective countries; (D) To conduct in-depth market surveys in order to identify investment and marketing opportunities; (E) The exchange, on a regular basis, of trade data and economic data among the CARICOM Secretariat, Suriname and the pro-tempore Secretariat of The Group of Three as well as among the relevant trade institutions of their countries. To this end, they agree to explore the feasibility of establishing computerised trade date links for thetransmission of trade data; (F) To foster the creation of links between the nascent CARICOM regional capital market of The Group of Three countries; (G) To involve the private sector in cooperation activities, whenever possible, and to promote business opportunity encounters among The Group of Three, CARICOM and Suriname. |
SMALL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT
Recognizing that the private sector, in particular, small enterprises, play a central role in economic transfiguration and generation of employment, they agree:
| (A) To identify joint programmes for on-the-job training for small enterprises;
(B) To explore opportunities for the exchange of experiences in the areas of small enterprise development and related public sector policies. |
TOURISM
Recognizing that tourism plays a vital role in the development of their countries and facilitates increased cooperation and collaboration among tourism agencies and training institutions and recognizing also that most of their countries participate in the Caribbean tourism organization (CTU) and the Caribbean Hotel Association (CHA) agree:
– To provide mutual support in product development, joint marketing and training of tourism personnel. With respect to this last activity account will be taken of the existence of the hotel school in the Bahamas and of similar institutions in the Group of Three countries.
TRANSPORT
Recognizing the importance of cross-border activities with respect to the movement of goods, services and people; taking into account that these activities will depend on the efficiency and effectiveness of the transport systems among their countries; and bearing in mind the ongoing study on air and shipping links between CARICOM and The Group of Three, they agree:
– To promote dialogue among representative of the transport sector, both public and private, to discuss the results of the study, and to develop future activities for the improvement of transport, with a view to the establishment of direct and regular transportation links among their countries.
HEMISPHERIC TRADE
Recognizing the several ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening the development of hemispheric trade and investment, they agree:
| (A) To intensify their efforts to facilitate trade and investment flows;
(B) To give immediate attention to the framework that might most effectively support their objective of a significant increase in trade; (C) To issue a declaration on trade and investment. |
COORDINATION : MULTILATERAL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
They agree:
| (A) To promote coordinated efforts, within the multilateral organizations dealing with financial and technical cooperation in order to ensure that those institutions provide additional resources to the countries of CARICOM and Suriname;
(B) To support the debt strategy for Latin America and the Caribbean adopted by the Latin American Economic System (SELA); (C) To provide technical assistance to the CARICOM countries and Suriname, on the basis of the experience of The Group of Three countries, in debt rescheduling and structural adjustment programmes. |
AGRICULTURAL DIVERSIFICATION
Considering that Agriculture plays a central role in the growth and development of their economies, they agree:
| (A) To cooperate in the design of agricultural development programmes, especially those aimed at diversifying production, the promotion of food security and reduction of vulnerability in the face of increasingly restricted markets for traditional agricultural exports:
(B) To focus on the identification and development of products of current and future export interest; (C) To formulate macro-economic policies leading to an effective diversification process which minimizes dislocations; (D) To promote dialogue on agrarian policy among agricultural planners at appropriate periods to be agreed upon, as a useful means of exchanging experiences and for the development of technological packages and information kits for selected agricultural products. |
ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Recognizing that the Caribbean Sea is the main link among the countries, and reaffirming their interest in preserving this common patrimony, it is agreed:
| (A) To develop cooperation programmes to monitor and exchange information and protect the Caribbean Sea;
(B) To actively participate in the United Nations Conference for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, in Barbados in 1994 and in the follow-up activities to that Conference as they relate to the Caribbean; (C) To develop joint policies regarding the passage of hazardous materials and wastes through the Caribbean Sea, as well as cooperation arrangements to deal with possible accidents such as oil spills; (D) To promote jointly, the sharing of research, experiences and technologies in respect of- – strengthening of disaster prevention, preparedness and mitigation programmes; – the joint development of programmes for coastal zone management utilising existing institutions; – industrial waste management; (E)To conduct joint activities through those institutions, located in their respective countries, which conduct work in the foregoing areas; (F) To develop with the assistance of the Offices of the United NationsEnvironment Programme (UNEP) in Kingston and Mexico City; Projects aimed at reducing coastal degradation in theCaribbean Sea; (G) To collaborate in respect of disaster relief within the Region. |
ILLICIT TRAFFIC IN DRUGS AND PSYCHOTROPIC SUBSTANCESS,AND RELATED CRIMES
Recognizing that the traffic in and use of illicit drugs have reached alarming proportions and have become a general security concern in the Region, they agree:
| (A) To strengthen existing levels of cooperation towards the elimination of illicit drug trafficking;
(B) To exchange information on the cross-border movements of persons, aircraft and vessels suspected of trafficking in illicit drugs with a view to facilitating early interdiction and seizure; (C) To collaborate in the training of personnel from agencies involved in education and rehabilitation activities; (D) To develop regional projects aimed at early detection and prevention, demand reduction, treatment and rehabilitation. |
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COOPERATION
Recognizing the significant contribution that cooperation in the field of science and technology can make to the development of their individual economies as well as to the viability of efforts for a coordinated approach to production and marketing of goods and services, they agree:
| (A) To strengthen cooperation among their research and development institutions;
(B) To exchange information on the results of research; (C) To facilitate training in respect of issues important for the efficient use of energy, and the development of indigenous energy sources in the Region. |
The Bolivar Programme, in which The Group of Three countries fully participate, facilitates the assessment, financing and commercialisation of projects emanating from scientific and technological innovations. The benefits to be derived from the Bolivar Programme are currently being examined by CARICOM countries and Suriname with a view to their eventual participation in its activities.
CULTURE
Recognizing their cultural diversity as well as their shared cultural heritage which have been amply demonstrated on various occasions, they agree:
| (A) To encourage the creation of opportunities and mechanisms for expanding and strengthening cultural contact at all levels;
(B) To promote the fullest participation possible in the 1995 CARIFESTA in Trinidad and Tobago and in future CARIFESTAS; (C) To jointly seek support from donor agencies for the organization of cultural projects of mutual interest, and to design programmes for exhibitions, artistic performances and the co-production of festivals etc; (D) To facilitate interaction among sporting institutions in order to promote the development of sporting activities among their countries, including football. |
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Recognizing the importance of stimulating the flow of information between their countries, (through the Pro Tempore Secretariat of The Group of Three and the CARICOM Secretariat), they agree:
| (A) To develop jointly, information strategies for enhancing integration among news agencies, media and telecommunications networks;
(B) To promote the development of joint television programmes on the peoples of the region; (C) To examine possibilities for exchanges among leading regional communication training institutes; |
With respect to the Latin American and the Caribbean Centre being established by the University of the West Indies (UWI) at its campus in Jamaica, in order to promote increased interaction between Latin America and the Caribbean, they agree:
(A) To support the Latin American and Caribbean Centre of the University of the West Indies in Jamaica;
(B) To facilitate exchanges among universities, to strengthen and enrich teaching and research programmes;
(C) To provide training in interpreting and translation.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND SOCIAL POLICY
They agree:
| (A) To exchange experiences and to implement joint programmes to foster social development and poverty alleviation within the context of the economic realities of the 1990s;
(B) To cooperate in the area of health as well as other areas of social development; |
HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Human Resource Development is the most critical factor in the development of CARICOM countries, Suriname and the Group of Three. Population growth, economic restructuring and current levels of unemployment make Human Resource Development a key element in the development of Government policy and programmes. Given financial resource constraints and the diverse experiences of their countries, joint actions will greatly enhance development in areas such as:
| (A) Training which has been ongoing at the bilateral level. They will jointly develop and promote programmes for training in English and Spanish targeted at Public Servants and the business community, among others;
(B) Scientific and technological education and training; (C) Technical and vocational education and training; (D) Manpower planning; (E) Management and entrepreneurial development; (F) Production and publishing of educational materials. |
FOLLOW-UP ACTIVITIES
1. The responsibility for monitoring, coordinating and following up implementation of this agreement will lie with a Commission comprising the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the respective countries;
2. The Pro- Tempore Secretariat of The Group of Three and the CARICOM Secretariat will provide administrative support. The first Meeting of the Commission will take place in May 1994 to review developments since the 1993 Port-of-Spain Summit and give impetus and direction to future activities;
3. The Secretariats will receive and transmit requests for assistance and cooperation activities and process them for consideration by the participating States. The Secretariats will work in collaboration with the countries and advise on modalities for:
· Projects to be developed on an annual basis;
· Funding assistance for joint development projects where this is needed;
· The framework for the execution of projects including the fielding of experts.
4. The Commission comprising the Ministers of Foreign Affairs will create the necessary mechanisms to facilitate the free flow of experts, equipment and material as may be needed for executing the cooperation activities referred to in this Action Plan;
5. They will also seek the support of such relevant organizations as SELA, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) and the Organization of American States (OAS), where appropriate, in the implementation of the Action Plan;
6. By mutual agreement, the countries will have the authority to add other areas of cooperation as may be deemed necessary and pertinent;
In witness whereof, the undersigned representatives of the Caribbean Community, Suriname and the countries of The Group of Three have signed this Action Plan in English and Spanish both texts being equally authentic.
SIGNED BY
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………ON
BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF ( * ) AT PORT-OF-SPAIN
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, THIS THIRTEENTH DAY OF OCTOBER NINETEEN HUNDRED AND NINETY-THREE.
( * ) ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
THE COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS
BARBADOS
BELIZE
THE CO-OPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF Guyana
JAMAICA
ST. KITTS AND NEVIS
SAINT LUCIA
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
THE REPUBLIC OF COLOMBIA
THE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO
THE REPUBLIC OF VENEZUELA
THE REPUBLIC OF SURINAME
