Today the Heads of State and Government of the CARICOM countries and the Prime Minister of Spain, Mr. José MarÃa Aznar, met in Port-of-Spain (Trinidad and Tobago) for a joint working session at which the Prime Minister of Spain was invited to address the CARICOM leaders.
In the ensuing discussions, the Heads of State and Government of Spain and of CARICOM reviewed a range of political issues and trade and cooperation matters affecting the CARICOM countries and Spain and agreed to issue the following Joint Declaration.
Your Excellency Arthur N.R. Robinson, OCC, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
The Hon. Basdeo Panday, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government
Other Distinguished Heads of State and Government
Distinguished Prime Minister of Spain
President of the Senate of Trinidad and Tobago
Hon. Speaker of the House of Trinidad and Tobago
Hon. Chief Justice
Hon. Ministers of Government
Secretary-General of the Commonwealth
Distinguished Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
Other Colleague Heads of Government
Secretary General
Ladies and Gentlemen_
In 1986, the Rt. Excellent Errol Barrow closed what was to be his final address to this Conference of Heads by citing the words of John Bunyan in Pilgrim's Progress_
"Though with much difficulty I have come hither, yet do I not repent me of the trouble I have taken".
He was obviously also speaking on my behalf.
Esteemed Colleagues,
Distinguished Ministers of Foreign Affairs,
Distinguished Ambassadors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is, indeed, a great pleasure for me to attend the Twentieth Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Trinidad and Tobago. I would like to express my thanks to the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago for the gracious hospitality extended to my delegation and me.
PROFESSOR JOYCELIN MASSIAH
Professor Joycelin Massiah, born in Guyana, citizen of Barbados with several years of service in Jamaica, is a Caribbean Woman whose entire life has been one of service in response to the pressing challenges of the Region. For three decades she has been involved in every aspect of Caribbean society, particularly as it relates to the role of women and their pivotal position in the family.
Your excellency the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Your Excellency the Prime Minister of Spain
The Hon. Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and
Chairman of the Caribbean Community
Heads of Government
Secretary-General Carrington
Distinguished Delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen_
It is my singular pleasure to extend a warm welcome to this distinguished assembly, at this opening ceremony of the Twentieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.
I extend this welcome on behalf of the people and the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Two CARICOM nationals, the first, graduated from Mexican Naval Academies this week , the result of the CARICOM/Mexican Cooperation Programme.
In 1995, the Government of Mexico, under the aegis of the CARICOM/Mexico Technical Cooperation Programme, awarded full four-year scholarships to five CARICOM cadets to pursue courses leading to a first degree in naval studies.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana) The XX Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community begins in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, July 4 with an opening ceremony at the Hilton Trinidad Hotel and Conference Centre.
Most of the leaders will be arriving in Trinidad shortly after attending the European Union/Latin American and Caribbean Summit which ended in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Tuesday, June 29.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana) The Establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy and Agreement on the Caribbean Court of Justice are two principal issues which will engage the attention of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community when they convene the XX Meeting of the Conference in Port-of-Spain on July 4, 1999.