CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – The Director-General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM), Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal, met with The Honourable Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, in Port of Spain today.
Ambassador Bernal and the Prime Minister had an exchange of views on the status of negotiations across the three major external trade negotiating theatres the region is involved in; namely, the World Trade Organization (WTO), Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and CARIFORUM-European Union (EU) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Chairman, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism, International Trade and Transport of Antigua and Barbuda Honourable Ministers, Secretary General, Representatives of the CARICOM Secretariat, Distinguished Delegates, Members of the Media.
On behalf of the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago, it gives me great pleasure to welcome delegates to Port of Spain and to the Fourteenth Meeting of the Community Council of Ministers. As you are aware, Trinidad and Tobago did not hesitate to host this Meeting when the request was made by the Secretariat.
The Community Council of Ministers of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the second highest Organ of the Community, held its Fourteenth Meeting on June 18, 2004 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Opening remarks were delivered by H.E. Mr. Edwin W. Carrington, Secretary-General of CARICOM; the Hon. Harold Lovell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism, International Trade and Transport of Antigua and Barbuda, who Chaired the Meeting; and the Honourable Knowlson Gift, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago.
Chairman, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism, International Trade and Transport of Antigua and Barbuda Honourable Ministers, Secretary General, Representatives of the CARICOM Secretariat, Distinguished Delegates, Members of the Media.
On behalf of the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago, it gives me great pleasure to welcome delegates to Port of Spain and to the Fourteenth Meeting of the Community Council of Ministers. As you are aware, Trinidad and Tobago did not hesitate to host this Meeting when the request was made by the Secretariat.
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ministers of Agriculture and Trade participated in the Seventeenth Meeting of the Council For Trade and Economic Development (COTED), at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on 16-17 June 2004, under the chairmanship of Hon. Montgomery Daniel, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The main focus of the Meeting was on issues relating to the agriculture sector.
Mr. Chairman, Hon. Harold Lovell, Minister of Tourism, Foreign Affairs, International Transportation and Trade of Antigua and Barbuda
Other Honourable Ministers
Other Distinguished Delegates
Staff of the CARICOM Secretariat
Ladies and Gentlemen
Trade Ministers of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have been urged to act now and plan for "eventualities" as the Region grapples with ensuing challenges facing its rice, sugar, and rum and banana industries.
This position was put to the Ministers by Chairman of CARICOM's Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED, Minister of Agriculture, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Hon. Montgomery Daniel. He was addressing the opening session for the 17th meeting of COTED in Trinidad and Tobago, 16 June 2004.
Honourable Ministers Other Distinguished Delegates Staff of the CARICOM Secretariat Members of the Media Ladies and Gentlemen
Honourable Ministers
Other Distinguished Delegates
Staff of the CARICOM Secretariat
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
Regional Governments and their international partners are moving to establish a comprehensive development programme in agriculture for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). This comes against the background of their recognition that the sector continues to play a critical role in the economies of CARICOM Member States. Government Ministers representing a range of portfolios which impact on trade and development in the Region are convening the 17th meeting of the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) in Trinidad and Tobago 16-17 June 2004.