​It is a pleasure and honour for me to welcome everyone to this ceremony of the presentation of credentials accrediting you, Excellency, as the Kingdom of Spain’s Plenipotentiary Representative to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
Speeches
​It is my privilege to bring you greetings and deliver brief remarks on behalf of the CARICOM Secretariat, on the occasion of this CICAD-CARICOM Regional Meeting with Caribbean Universities on the Drug Phenomenon.
​Mr. Chairman, Honourable Tillman Thomas, Prime Minister of Grenada
Your Excellencies, the Presidents of Guyana and Suriname Other Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community Honourable Ministers Delegates Representatives of the Media Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
​I am sure I speak for all my colleagues in expressing appreciation to Prime Minister Tillman Thomas, the government and people of Grenada for the warm hospitality we have received and the fine arrangements that have been made for this conference. Grenada is the spice island of the Caribbean but it is much more than that and we are enjoying all that this piece of paradise has to offer.
I offer my congratulations to Prime Minister Thomas on assuming the chairmanship of CARICOM. In his calm and steady hands the leadership of our movement is in steady hands.
​CARICOM citizens, ladies and gentlemen, I am indeed happy to welcome all of you to our spice isle on this occasion; our 22nd inter-sessional meeting. The people of Grenada join with me in extending our characteristic spice isle hospitality that some of you have been accustomed to. We do hope that you enjoy and savor the Grenadian experience.
Salutations
I congratulate the Board of the Jamaica Stock Exchange (JSE) and its General Manager, Mrs. Marlene Street-Forrest for organizing what portends to be a most exciting Conference.
The timing is opportune as the Caribbean struggles for survival in a changed and most uncertain global economic environment and as the international community struggles to help Haiti rebuild after the devastating earthquake of January 12, 2010.
I consider this Conference to be both visionary and timely.
It is an honour for me to address you on behalf of Ambassador Lolita Applewhaite, Secretary General (acting) of the Caribbean Community at this Regional Forum on Aid for Trade for the Caribbean. She has asked that I convey her best wishes for a stimulating and successful event.
The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat readily welcomed the invitation to collaborate with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Secretariat and the Inter-American.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) No Recovery of Haiti after a disaster of such incalculable magnitude, can take place without regard to the prevailing political and social environment. The process of Rebuilding has to commence with respect for its Laws and Constitution and proceed in the clear acceptance that existing institutions will have to be strengthened. In several areas, new Institutions will have to be spawned by special legislation and quickly bolstered by systems that work effectively as well as with more professional expertise.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The CARICOM Special Representative for Haiti, Former Prime Minister P. J. Patterson has called for the international community to allow Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council (CEP) to rule on the disputed first round of Presidential elections in that Caribbean nation.