Most Honourable Percival J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica and Chairman of the Caribbean Community, |
Speeches
Your Excellencies the Most Honourable Sir Howard Cooke and Lady Cooke |
My presence here today as Prime Minister is the consequence of an electoral choice that is without precedent in the post-independence history of my country.
It focuses my mind on the fact that we live in unprecedented times – in a world caught up with difficult and dangerous new tensions, and confronted with blistering and bewildering change that makes it often very difficult for our people to see the future.
Governor General of Jamaica |
Most Honourable P.J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica and Chairperson of CARICOM,Â
Distinguished Heads of State and Government of CARICOMÂ
Your Excellencies_ Ministers, Ambassadors and High Commissioners,
Delegates and friends
On behalf of the African Union and your brothers and sisters in Africa, I would like to thank you most sincerely for the privilege and opportunity you have given us to attend this 24th Regular Meeting of CARICOM, as well as join you as you celebrate the 30th Anniversary of CARICOM.
Mr. Chairman;
Right Honourable Prime Minister of Barbados;
Outgoing Chairman of the Council for Finance and Planning;
Other Ministers of Finance and Planning;
Central Bank Governors;
Representatives of International, Hemispheric and Regional Organisations;
Representatives of the Private Sector;
Distinguished Delegates;
Staff of the Caribbean Community Secretariat;
Members of the Media;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Mr. Secretary-General
Hon. Omar Davies, Minister of Finance and Planning of Jamaica
Assistant Secretary-General, CARICOM
Hon. Prime Ministers
Colleague Ministers of Finance
Central Bank Governors
Representatives of the Donor Community
Delegates and Officials.
Mr. Secretary-General; Hon. Omar Davies, Minister of Finance and Planning of Jamaica; Assistant Secretary-General, CARICOM; Hon. Prime Ministers; Colleague Ministers of Finance; Central Bank Governors; Representatives of the Donor Community; Delegates and Officials.
Mr. Chairman;
Right Honourable Prime Minister of Barbados;
Outgoing Chairman of the Council for Finance and Planning;
Other Ministers of Finance and Planning;
Central Bank Governors;
Representatives of International, Hemispheric and Regional Organisations;
Representatives of the Private Sector;
Distinguished Delegates;
Staff of the Caribbean Community Secretariat;
Members of the Media;
Ladies and Gentlemen;
Apart from the selection and fortunes of the West Indies Cricket team, there is no other issue that evokes, in this region, a richer, more sustained, more fierce, and more misplaced commentary than the purposes and workings of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy.
In both instances, the debate seems to be inspired by the desire of the people of the Caribbean for the region and its institutions to succeed, and the unwillingness therefore to accept any departure from full effort and best practice.