The Prime Minister of Spain hosted the Second CARICOM – Spain Summit on 16 May 2002 in Madrid, Spain. In attendance on the Caribbean side were the Presidents of Guyana and Haiti, the Prime Ministers of Barbados, Belize and Jamaica, the Vice President of Suriname and representatives from The Bahamas, St Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago and the CARICOM Secretary-General.
The Summit was held in an atmosphere of warmth and mutual understanding. Heads of Government discussed current, pressing political and economic issues of interest to both sides as well as progress made in the area of technical assistance and cooperation since their First Summit in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in 1999. Of great significance, in this latter regard, were the agreements entered into with Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago regarding the promotion and protection of investments.
Heads of State and/or Government identified several issues on which to collaborate in the future. Of prime importance to the CARICOM countries, is the intention of Spain to pursue its interest in becoming a member of the Caribbean Development Bank. They also agreed that in between Summits, this process should be advanced through the forum of the CARICOM – Spain Joint Commission, the inaugural meeting of which has been scheduled for the latter half of 2002.
The attached Joint Declaration was issued at the conclusion of the Summit.
JOINT DECLARATION
SECOND SPAIN-CARICOM SUMMIT
MADRID, 16 MAY 2002
Heads of State and of Government of CARICOM Member States and the Prime Minister of Spain met 16 May, in Madrid, in a joint working session to review political, economic and cooperation issues which affect both Parties. At the conclusion of these discussions, the following Joint Declaration was issued:
I. POLITICAL RELATIONS: CARICOM-SPAIN
The Second CARICOM – Spain Summit highlighted the excellent relations between both Parties and there was a clear demonstration of their commitment to maintaining a stable institutional relationship initiated at the First Summit which was held in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in 1999. It was agreed that the political dialogue at these meetings provided a framework within which to coordinate relations between CARICOM Member States and the Kingdom of Spain in the political, economic and technical cooperation, and cultural spheres.
A) European Union – Caribbean Relations
CARICOM countries and Spain reaffirmed the importance, which they attach to the II European Union – Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) Summit to be held in Madrid on 17 May 2002. This mutual interest is demonstrated by the theme of the Second EU – LAC Summit “Enhancing the Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century”.
In the context of the framework of economic and commercial relations between CARICOM and the European Union, CARICOM and Spain reiterated their commitments undertaken in the Cotonou Agreement. Spain agreed to advocate, within the European Union, the Region's concerns on sensitive matters such as the need to safeguard the preferential access for Caribbean bananas, the ACP-EU Sugar Protocol, and the implications of the “Everything But Arms” Initiative. Spain agreed to lend support to the timely implementation of the approved programme of assistance for the Region's rum industry and to appropriate Caribbean tourism projects funded by the European Commission as well as to facilitate a speedy decision on the financial package for the Caribbean rice industry.
CARICOM countries also sought the support of Spain, in its capacity as a member of the Troika of the European Union, for the development agenda of Small Island Developing States (SIDS) within the framework of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD).
Both Parties highlighted the universality of human rights and reiterated their commitment to these rights. They also recalled the obligations of governments in the protection of the environment.
Both parties reaffirmed their firm commitment to the fight against terrorism in accordance with the principles recognised by the United Nations (UN).
B) Bilateral and Multilateral Relations
CARICOM Heads of State and Government and the Spanish Prime Minister exchanged views related to developments in the integration processes in their respective Regions as well as on the strengthening of relations between Europe and the Caribbean. In this regard, both Parties underscored their interest in increasing the reciprocal accreditation of Ambassadors.
Both Parties expressed satisfaction at the strengthening of relations within the context of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), of which Spain has been an Observer since 1996. They also signalled the importance of meetings and encounters in other fora, such as the Tourism Summit, held in The Bahamas in 2001 to which Spain was invited as an Observer.
CARICOM countries gave their support for the candidature of Spain for a non-permanent post on the United Nations Security Council for the period 2003 – 2004. Spain expressed its sincere appreciation for this support. Both Parties underscored the common commitment to the defence of democratic principles, and respect for civil and human rights. They also expressed their satisfaction at the concerted political action achieved within the framework of the UN and their desire to continue promoting this approach on those issues which affect the functioning of this institution and its related agencies.
Spain and CARICOM countries reiterated their firm commitment to the fight against narco-trafficking and noted the introduction in national legislation of more effective laws to combat money laundering. Both Parties underscored the importance of the existing coordination and cooperation mechanism between the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean, which recently concluded its IV High-Level Meeting in Madrid. With the aim of strengthening cooperation between both Parties in this area, Spain gave an undertaking to give continued support to the Region's efforts to fight narco-trafficking including the hosting of a Seminar on Combating Narco-trafficking with the necessary technical assistance.
CARICOM and Spain welcomed the entry into force of the Statute of Rome to create the International Criminal Court. They recognised the important role played in this process by the Caribbean Community, in particular Trinidad and Tobago, and by the European Union. Both Parties expressed the view that the Court would constitute an essential element in promoting international respect for the rule of law and for human rights, and in this way would contribute to the maintenance of peace and the strengthening of international security, in accordance with the provisions of the United Nations Charter.
Spain recognised the importance of an Agenda for Small States in the international and multilateral context, and declared its willingness to support, within its means, CARICOM's requests for assistance in this regard.
With the aim of deepening political relations between CARICOM and Spain, both Parties expressed their satisfaction with the exchange of high-level visits since the First Summit with the visit of the Prime Minister of The Bahamas to Spain in 2000, the Prime Minister of Belize in 2000 and 2001, and the Prime Minister of Jamaica in 2001. The Spanish Prime Minister has pledged to reciprocate these visits in 2003.
II CARICOM-SPAIN ECONOMIC RELATIONS
Spain and CARICOM reaffirmed their commitment to fair and just international economic relations based on progressive and equitable trade liberalisation and capital movement to stimulate growth in all countries. The Parties agreed to collaborate in the context of the Doha Work Programme so that Caribbean countries can derive greater benefit from international trade by supporting flexible international trade rules to facilitate the integration of small developing countries into the globalised trading system.
In recognition of Spain's expressed commitment to the economic development of the Caribbean, CARICOM Heads of Government urged Spain to accelerate its undertaking to consider membership of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), especially in light of the Bank's current efforts to expand its membership to include the non-English-speaking Caribbean.
CARICOM and Spain exchanged views on approaches to the negotiations of new ACP-EU Trade Arrangements and WTO compatibility and agreed that the outcome of negotiations, scheduled to commence in September 2002, will change ACP-EU trading relations. Both sides recognised that special attention would have to be given to the adjustments which would have to be made by the Caribbean as a result of the change in ACP-EU trade relations which will be brought about by new trading arrangements. Consideration would also have to be given to the means by which the Caribbean would build its internal economic capacity in preparation for the new global realities and to its full integration into the world economy.
Both Parties welcomed the signing of the Investment Protection and Promotion Agreements between Spain and Trinidad and Tobago and between Spain and Jamaica, and noted Spain's interest in concluding similar arrangements with other CARICOM countries. Spain also indicated an interest in concluding Double Taxation Treaties with CARICOM countries. These were seen as important instruments in promoting Spanish investment in the Region.
CARICOM Heads of Government expressed the view that the work of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Global Forum on Harmful Tax Practices should ensure a level playing field for all jurisdictions. They reiterated that the standards and time lines for non-OECD jurisdictions should be no more onerous than those for OECD members. It was noted that Caribbean jurisdictions might face increased costs as a consequence of the implementation of any agreed aspects of the OECD's initiative. Spain reiterated its willingness to advocate the position of CARICOM countries where possible and offered technical assistance to CARICOM Member States in meeting requirements of the OECD initiative that are beyond the existing capacity of CARICOM States. Spain's participation in the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) was seen in a positive light, as was the possibility of Spain increasing its contribution to this body.
CARICOM countries expressed their concern to Spain, as a member of the Board of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), on criteria for accessing loans from that Institution and sought Spain's assistance in this regard.
With the aim of encouraging more dynamic trade relations, both Parties reiterated their commitment to promoting the development of Small and Medium-sized enterprises.
III CARICOM – SPAIN COOPERATION
Both Parties expressed satisfaction at the entry into force of the Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation between Spain and CARICOM and the bilateral Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation with Jamaica and Belize, as well as the progress made towards the entry into force of the Agreement signed with Trinidad and Tobago.
CARICOM Heads of Government and the Spanish Prime Minister noted the progress made in the field of technical cooperation through the seminars and workshops organized by Spain in the following areas: the teaching of Spanish as a Second Language, fisheries development, tourism, and the development of small and medium-sized enterprises. CARICOM also expressed its appreciation to Spain for the establishment of the García Lorca Chair at the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, which was established following the First Summit.
The Parties agreed to convene the First CARICOM – Spain Joint Commission in the second half of 2002 and identified the following priority areas of cooperation as provided for under Article 4 of the Agreement:
Support for export promotion, tourism, fisheries and environmental programmes.
Development of Spanish as a Second Language: Spain will collaborate in the creation of a Training Centre for Teachers of Spanish, which would have a regional reach. Until this Centre is operational, support for the teaching of Spanish will continue through the extension of the Agreement between the University of the West Indies, the Instituto Cervantes and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation.
CARICOM Heads of Government welcomed Spain's offer of scholarships to the Region and other initiatives aimed at developing the Region's human resource base.
CARICOM Heads of Government welcomed the contribution by Spain to the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and that country's expressed preference for the above-mentioned Fund to dedicate resources to programmes submitted by the Caribbean region.
IV. TOWARDS THE THIRD SUMMIT
Spain and CARICOM countries recognized the progress made in the institutionalisation of relations between both Parties since the First Summit.
Both Parties agreed to identify a focal point on each side to facilitate continued dialogue and contact between CARICOM and Spain.
CARICOM Heads of State and Government and the Prime Minister of Spain agreed to continue strengthening their relationship and pledged to convene the Third Summit between the Parties at a place and time to be decided through diplomatic channels.
CARICOM Heads of Government expressed their appreciation to the Government of Spain for the warm hospitality extended to them during their visit.
16 May 2002
