BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Several Caribbean countries were on Wednesday observing May Day, the international day set aside to recognise workers, with the traditional rallies and speeches against exploitation and the need for better working conditions despite the ongoing global financial and economic crisis.

While many workers, some armed with placards, urged unity in dealing with the crisis, labour leaders in several Caribbean countries, like Dominica, remained divided on the need for a trade union congress (TUC).

It is a pleasure for Grenada to be Chairing the Thirty-Sixth Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).

Colleague Ministers, our Community is at yet another defining epoch in our development. Indeed, there is much skepticism among segments of our stakeholder groups, which has often-times weakened the case for the work of the COTED.

We must do two things through the important work at this 36^th COTED_

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Good morning, and thank you all for being here to share in this historic occasion of the Accreditation of Slovenia’s first Plenipotentiary Representative to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Ambassador Roman Kirn.

Ambassador, it is my pleasure and honour to accept, your credentials and to extend to you and to your country my hand and that of the Caribbean Community in friendship.

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The first plenipotentiary representative of Slovenia to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) His Excellency Rohan Kirn, on Tuesday presented his letters of credence to Secretary-General Ambassador Irwin LaRocque.

The accreditation, Ambassador LaRocque said, was an important symbolic gesture and a confirmation of Slovenia’s decision to embark on a new relationship with CARICOM.

CARICOM was established in 1973 with the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, and is observing its 40th anniversary this year.

“The model may be challenged in other regions of the world, but it must be understood that regional integration requires constant tweaking,” he said, while alluding to the challenges currently facing the Region and the ever “evolving global multiplex of nations.”

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Honourable Minister, I take this opportunity to welcome you - certainly not to your first COTED, but in your capacity as Minister for Trade of Grenada. And, of course, you have arrived in style – to take up your place as Chairman of this Council.

I also want to especially welcome the Hon. Erwin Contreras, Minister of Trade of Belize who is attending his first COTED Meeting.

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) It is a pleasure for Grenada to be Chairing the Thirty-Sixth Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED).

Colleague Ministers, our Community is at yet another defining epoch in our development. Indeed, there is much skepticism among segments of our stakeholder groups, which has often-times weakened the case for the work of the COTED.

We must do two things through the important work at this 36th COTED_

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has been charged to rethink, re-organize and re-strategise the way the business of the Council is conducted.

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) A place for the private sector at the table of meetings of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) is gaining traction with the Honourable Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guyana and Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), both making strong recommendations in this regard on Thursday.

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has underscored the need for Member States to work together to find and implement solutions to the challenges that faced the Community.

Basing his comments on the current state of the global environment and its effects on the Region, the Secretary-General said that while the times are difficult, they also presented an opportunity for the Region to band together to overcome them.