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Your Excellency Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of the Federal Republic of Brazil
Your Excellency Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, Acting Minister of External Relations of the Federal Republic of Brazil Other distinguished Representatives of the Government of the Federative Republic of Brazil Distinguished Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community Distinguished delegates of CARICOM Other Distinguished Guests Representatives of the Media Ladies and Gentlemen I wish at the outset, on behalf of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, and their Delegations – to express our sincere appreciation to you, President Lula, for the warm welcome that we have received here in Brasilia. The hospitality that you, your officials and people have already shown us, and the exceptional arrangements put in place, augur well for the successful convening of today’s CARICOM-Brazil Summit, which I believe will provide an opportunity for productive discussions on issues of mutual interest to both sides, and thus enhance the goodwill, friendship, and spirit of cooperation between CARICOM and Brazil. While the close ties between CARICOM and Brazil have been established for a number of years, this inaugural meeting is historic and timely. I feel honoured and privileged to be in the Chair of CARICOM at this time and for this occasion. I recall the wise and profound words of my colleague President Venetiaan of Suriname, delivered during the Opening Ceremony of the Sixteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the CARICOM Heads of Government,
To that, Mr. President, I wish to add that beyond that Southern border, there lies a great deal of goodwill for the Caribbean Community. The Caribbean Community recalls that as a special guest at that Inter-Sectional Meeting in Suriname, you shared your vision for strengthened ties between CARICOM and Brazil and expressed the view that it was an opportune time for the establishment of solid partnership between the two sides. We were heartened by the confirmation that Brazil was prepared to proceed with flexibility and generosity; and that united, CARICOM and Brazil could build a new economic and commercial geography. This inaugural meeting is a tangible expression of that intent and commitment to establish such a partnership and to further existing cooperation initiatives. Mr. President, CARICOM is also committed to integration. As such, we welcome the initiative of Brazil to carve out a space for Heads of State and Government of Latin America and the Caribbean to dialogue. This opportunity came to fruition at the Summit of Latin America and the Caribbean on Integration and Development (CALC) held in Salvador do Bahia in December of 2008, under the theme “Cooperation in Integration for Sustainable Development in light of climate change and the global crises in finance, food and energy”. The objectives of that Summit were straightforward: to strengthen regional integration and to institute effective commitment for joint action; to promote the sustainable development of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean. Mr. President, you must be gratified that your vision regarding the CALC initiative has now become a reality as we look ahead to the Third CALC Summit in 2011. Mr. President, CARICOM is pleased that Brazil has signalled its interest in deepening relations with us through regular encounters with the Councils of CARICOM; through the establishment of Embassies in each of our fourteen (14) CARICOM Member States, and through technical assistance in the fight against HIV/AIDS with the provision of anti-retroviral drugs for the OECS countries, monitoring and evaluation of HIV/AIDS programmes, and training on HIV/AIDS in collaboration with CARICOM health institutions. We welcome the new chapter in our relationship which will be heralded by the conclusion at this historic meeting, of a CARICOM-Brazil Technical Cooperation Agreement addressing sixteen areas of cooperation, including the key areas of agriculture, health, tourism and transportation. In order to give impetus to the Technical Cooperation Agreement we propose to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Technical Cooperation highlighting five (5) priority areas. Mr. President, we have a lengthy list of areas to cover in our discussions. It is only fitting and just that Haiti has been accorded a place of priority in those discussions. My colleague Heads of Government and I are most appreciative at the quantum of assistance that your country has generously provided to Haiti in it hour of distress and profound need. But this is not new; not merely a reaction to the tragedy of the earthquake; Brazil has displayed exceptional leadership since 2004 by providing support to the development of Haiti through the UN Stabilisation Force in Haiti (MINUSTAH). In its leadership role, Brazil has provided the largest contingent of troops to MINUSTAH, and is now one of the largest donors and development partners of Haiti; providing technical support in the areas of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Education and Culture. Recently, however, in the wake of the 12 January earthquake, we were saddened to learn of the loss of Mr. Luiz Carlos da Costa, Principal Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations. Excellency, the Caribbean Community offers its condolences to you and to the family of the late Mr. da Costa. In spite of the challenges Brazil has encountered, you have remained steadfast in your commitment to Haiti’s development and the Community is thankful for your efforts. Mr. President, we are encouraged by your tireless efforts to bridge the gap between Brazil and the CARICOM region. Therefore, I received with appreciation the great news that on 15 September 2009, the Takutu River Bridge connecting Guyana to Brazil was officially opened. I have no doubt that this physical link will expand economic benefits to the CARICOM region. This bridge will help make available a trade route which will further the efforts of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) which is intended to provide the springboard to facilitate CARICOM’s integration into the hemispheric and global environment through more competitive production, thereby enhancing our trade relations. I look forward to further discussions on trade and economic cooperation between both sides during this Summit. In this regard, some Member States have started to formalize their trading relationships with Brazil. Guyana has signed a partial scope agreement. St. Kitts and Nevis has expressed interest in becoming part of that agreement Mr. President, the need for international financial policies that are mindful of the various levels of development of one country from another is a necessity in this liberalized global market that we share. The recent global financial and economic crisis which shook the markets of the world has negatively impacted small vulnerable economies, such as those of CARICOM. The high unemployment rates, the closure of many service-oriented establishments and the various fiscal measures taken by our governments to ensure sustainable growth in our CARICOM countries are daily examples of the extent to which we have been affected. As such, we are resolute in our call for reform within international financial institutions which determine international financial policies that all countries, regardless of their level of development, must follow. In this regard Mr. President, we appeal to our development partners, such as Brazil, to assist us by supporting our efforts to influence policy-making through adequate representation in the traditional international financial institutions. It is only through these efforts that we can ensure that the concerns of small vulnerable economies like ours will be taken on board during the policy making discussions at such institutions. Mr. President, we also intend to discuss the topical and vital issue of Climate Change – a subject which is important to all our countries. We share the view of Brazil that combating climate change requires a global response and that this response should be in the context of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. We also recognize the active role that Brazil has played in the discussions and negotiations which resulted in the Copenhagen Accord in December of 2009. Mr. President, CARICOM has a vested interest in ensuring that global discussions on Climate Change are conducted in the parameters of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. We look forward to the success of COP 16, which for us will be reflected in the conclusion of a global Climate Change Agreement that is inclusive and responsive to the needs of our nations, when we meet at the end of this year in Cancun, Mexico. It would be remiss of me not to re-state our condolences to you, Mr. President, and the People of Brazil, on the loss of life and property suffered by the residents of Rio De Janeiro due to flooding and mudslides earlier this month from the heaviest deluge ever recorded. It is frightening to note that, all told, about 11 inches (28 centimeters) fell in the space of 36 hours.
Mr. President, I will not delay the start of what I believe will be fruitful discussions any longer. Once more, I thank Brazil for initiating and facilitating this inaugural Summit, and I thank you, Mr. President, for the leadership you have shown to this region and indeed the entire world. |
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