The Tenth Caribbean Community (CARICOM)- Japan Consultation was held at the CARICOM Headquarters in Georgetown on August 24, 2004. The delegation of CARICOM was headed by Ms Fay Housty, Director, Foreign Policy and External Economic Relations of the CARICOM Secretariat and that of Japan by Mr. Satoru Sato, Deputy Director-General, Latin America and Caribbean Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In her opening statement the Head of the CARICOM delegation welcomed the Japanese delegation and noted that the main focus of the Consultation was to review the implementation of the New Framework for CARICOM-Japan Cooperation agreed to by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of CARICOM States and Japan in November 2000 as well as to discuss the preparations for the second CARICOM-Japan Ministerial Meeting to be held in Antigua and Barbuda.
She also highlighted the important role played by Japan in supporting the development efforts of CARICOM Member States and took the opportunity to express appreciation for Japan's assistance in the construction of the Permanent Headquarters Building of the CARICOM Secretariat in Guyana.
Mr. Satoru Sato, in response, delivered a message from Ms. Yoriko Kawaguchi, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, in which she noted that various initiatives have been implemented under “A New Framework for CARICOM-Japan Cooperation for the 21st Century” since the First CARICOM-Japan Ministerial Level Conference in November, 2000, and that friendly bilateral ties as well as close CARICOM-Japan cooperation in international foram have been steadily reinforced and expanded. In her message, the Foreign Minister conveyed the desire for the relations to be further strengthened in order to open new horizons that are filled with possibilities for the future of CARICOM and Japan.
The representative of Antigua and Barbuda reiterated the commitment of his Government to host the Second Ministerial Meeting scheduled to be held later in 2004. Both sides accepted the offer with appreciation. In that regard, the agenda for the Meeting was discussed and both sides, recognizing the importance of the Meeting expressed the hope for a successful outcome of the Ministerial deliberations.
In the ensuing discussions both sides reviewed the initiatives implemented under the Cooperation Framework in various areas executed through 190 projects in the sum of approximately US$150 million dollars involving more than 800 experts, trainees, students, etc. They expressed their satisfaction on the progress made in the past three and a half years. The two sides also acknowledged the need to further improve their collaborative efforts to ensure the continued success in the implementation of the various projects.
Priority areas for cooperation over the 2004-2005 period relating to the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, Trade and Investment, social Development, Health and Education, ICT Education and Training, Disaster Management and the Environment, Agriculture and Fisheries Development and Art and Culture were put forward by the CARICOM Side. The Japanese side undertook to review the proposals.
In reviewing collaboration under the CARICOM-Japan Friendship and Cooperation Fund, both sides examined ways of maximizing outcomes in this area.
CARICOM received with interest the proposal by Japan for a five-year Joint Action Plan highlighting areas for future collaboration. The CARICOM side undertook to review the proposals.
The CARICOM side proposed the formulation of a CARICOM-Japan Cooperation Agreement. The Japan side expressed a willingness to review the proposal.
Both sides noted that it would be necessary for the Ministers to discuss and prioritise the areas of cooperation for sustainable consequences and efficient implementation.
The two sides exchanged views on recent developments in their respective regions and also discussed important issues of mutual interest, including cooperation in the international fora, and on environmental and regional issues.
The Japan side expressed its appreciation for the role played by the Foreign Minister of St. Lucia the Hon. Julian Hunte in his capacity as President of the United Nations General Assembly.
The CARICOM side expressed the sincere condolences of the Region on the passing of the former Prime Minister of Japan Mr. Zenko Suzuki.
Both sides agreed that the Eleventh CARICOM-Japan Consultation would take place in Japan at a mutually convenient date.
Contact:
Tecla Fontenard
Communications Unit
Tel : (592)-226-9281-9
225-7758
227/4720
Email : carisec3@caricom.org or carisec4@caricom.org
