–Salutations–
I am honoured and delighted to be here in Trinidad and Tobago for this CSME country mission.
Trinidad and Tobago is a foundational bulwark of regional integration and has been central to all phases of our regional integration effort as the seat of the West Indies federation, a founding member of CARIFTA, and the home of the Treaty of Chaguaramas that established our Caribbean Community.
Indeed, in this ambitious phase of the integration process in which we are trying to build the Single Market and Economy – Trinidad and Tobago remains a driving force. Trinidad and Tobago’s robust trade and investment contributions to the CSME play a vital role in deepening the integration of production and delivering the benefits of enterprise, innovation and industry for the people of the Community.
Beyond the trade and economic sphere, Trinidad and Tobago has been intentional in building a strong and resilient framework for the implementation of its commitments under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas. Indeed, the ambitious legislative agenda spearheaded by the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs has seen many of the Treaty’s goals codified in law thereby guaranteeing their effective and sustainable implementation. The enactment of the CARICOM Skilled Nationals Act and the ratification of the Protocol on Enhanced Cooperation are examples of this commitment.
We meet at a time of heightened uncertainty and significant changes in the global and regional environment. While much is unclear, this much is certain. Regional cooperation has never been more important. As key players turn inwards and pull away from the shared global agenda for our people and planet, we must strengthen our resolve to work together. The global and regional challenges of debt, climate change, food security that drove that shared agenda have not changed and the solutions remain the same – Collective action to address common challenges.
Our Heads of Government have recognised this, and they have stressed the importance of deepening regional cooperation as a critical part of the Community’s strategy to respond to global challenges and navigate the course ahead.
So, our mission to support and promote the CSME assumes even greater importance currently.
Our team will be meeting with government, the private sector, civil society and students in Trinidad and Tobago. As we seek to listen to views on the state of the Community and its future and share information on the progress in the CSME.
We have completed five CSME country missions thus far in Saint Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadines; St. Kitts and Nevis; Belize and Antigua and Barbuda. These consultations are facilitated with assistance under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). The specific programme is the strengthening framework for CARICOM Integration and Cooperation Process (SFCICP).
The EU has been a strong and consistent partner to the Community in this regional integration effort not just by its example, but equally, in its support through programmes such as this.
This week we are here to engage, we are here to share, we are here to observe, but most importantly we are here to listen as we work with Trinidad and Tobago to advance the shared goal of sustainable and inclusive development within a dynamic Caribbean Community.
I thank you.
