Speeches

SALUTATIONS

I am very pleased for the invitation to address this gathering.

I am very pleased that the forum is addressing the issue of Science and Technology (S&T), and may I add "Innovation", and their contribution to Caribbean Development. The Conference is covering a number of very important topic areas, such as Regional Priorities, the issues of Partnership and Networking among regional institutions, Innovation and Inventions, Capacity Development, Policy Framework, and Funding, among others.

Mr. incoming Chairman, all hands are on deck and accounted for inclusive of a new quartermaster in the person of Minister Clarke. The vessel is fit for sail. I now turn over the bridge to you. And no captain, the ship is not sinking, but rather, stands in majestic glory ready for any challenge posed by our Caribbean waters.

Colleagues, when we last met I addressed you as incoming Chair of this illustrious Council. I now do so as outgoing Chairman.

The Hon. Kenneth Valley, Minister of Trade and Industry, Trinidad & Tobago, our host Minister,
Colleague Ministers,
Assistant Secretary General of the Caribbean Community
Your Excellencies Ambassadors to the Caribbean Community
Distinguished Delegates
Staff of the CARICOM Secretariat
Ladies and Gentlemen

For the second time in less than a week, it is a great pleasure for me as Secretary-General of CARIFORUM to be participating in a signing ceremony with a representative of the European Union.

Just last Saturday in Barbados, Ambassador Amos Tincani, the European Delegate to that Member State in he Region, and I signed a rider to an agreement which benefited the West Indies Rum and Spirits Producers Association (WIRSPA). That was a good agreement.

Your Excellency Ambassador H.E. Mr. Soong-chull Shin
Deputy Secretary-General
Assistant Secretaries General
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Members of the Media

Your Excellency, on behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), it is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the Headquarters of the Caribbean Community Secretariat. This welcome you can be sure is extended to include the Caribbean Community itself.

LORD TRIESMAN, MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR RELATIONS WITH THE CARIBBEAN IN THE FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE AND INTERIM HEAD OF THE DELEGATION OF THE UNITED KINGDOM;
THE HONOURABLE ELVIN NIMROD, MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE OF GRENADA, CHAIRMAN OF THE COUNCIL FOR FOREIGN AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS OF CARICOM AND CO-CHAIRMAN OF THIS FORUM;
DR EDWIN CARRINGTON, SECRETARY GENERAL OF CARICOM;
MINISTERS AND DELEGATES OF ALL PARTICIPATING STATES;
DISTINGUISHED GUESTS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN_

Mr. Chairman, the Honourable Elvin Nimrod, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Grenada
Colleague Ministers
Rev. Osbert James
Secretary General of the Caribbean Community
Excellencies and other Government representatives
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Foreign Ministers Distinguished Delegates Members of the Diplomatic Corp Representatives of International and Regional Organisations The Rev. Osbert James of the Grenada Council of Churches Members of the Media Ladies and Gentlemen

As Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, I am pleased and honoured to address this opening ceremony of the Ninth Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations which we call COFCOR.