Let me pay special tribute to our host, that titan of Caribbean integration and magnificent international statesman, the Most Honourable Percival J. Patterson. We simply thank you for your work and Almighty God for your inspiring life.
Speeches
Your Excellency, the President of Guyana,
Honourable Ministers,
Distinguished Delegates,
Staff of the Secretariat,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Mr. President, it is with pleasure that I welcome you, Ministers of Agriculture and delegations to our new Headquarters Building so beautifully provided by the Government of Guyana. We think it was a worthy end to the waiting.
Your Excellency, the President of Guyana,
Honourable Ministers,
Distinguished Delegates,
Staff of the Secretariat,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Mr. President, it is with pleasure that I welcome you, Ministers of Agriculture and delegations to our new Headquarters Building so beautifully provided by the Government of Guyana. We think it was a worthy end to the waiting.
Your Excellency Ambassador Amalia Mai, Plenipotentiary Representative to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
Deputy Secretary General
Assistant Secretar(ies)-General and other Members of Staff of the Secretariat
Members of the Media
Other Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
Excellency
Your Excellency Ambassador Ohlraun
Deputy Secretary-General
Assistant Secretaries General
Members of the Media
Staff,
It is my pleasure on behalf of the Caribbean Community, to welcome you, Excellency, to the CARICOM Secretariat for this Accreditation Ceremony, the first for the year 2006.
Your Excellency Mr. Secretary-General
 Madam Deputy Secretary-General
Members of CARICOM staff
Representatives of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen,
With my accreditation as Plenipotentiary Representative, the Caribbean Community and Germany establish formal relations.
Mr Chairman, the Hon Knowlson Gift Minister of Foreign Affairs of Trinidad and Tobago
Other Honourable Ministers
Your Excellencies
Ambassadors to the Caribbean Community
Distinguished Delegates
Deputy Secretary-General and Staff of the Secretariat
Ladies and Gentlemen
Today is for me a very special day. It is the first opportunity to welcome the Community’s second highest organ to the new Headquarters of the Caribbean Community Secretariat, which truly befits the Community’s highest aspirations.
Dr. the Hon. Errol Cort, Minister of Finance and the Economy of Antigua and Barbuda and Chairman of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED)
Other Ministers of Government
Your Excellencies Ambassadors to the Caribbean Community
Distinguished Delegates
Staff of the Secretariat
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is my distinct honour, on behalf of the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda, to be here at this important juncture in our history, to take up the mantle of Chairmanship of this esteemed Council. I am particularly pleased, as I had the privilege, several years ago, to participate in the constructive dialogue and management of trade and economic development issues across the Region within the aegis of this Council’s predecessor.
Today, 1st January 2006 the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) takes one of its most significant steps in the process of regional integration, as the CARICOM Single Market becomes a reality.
It is my privilege and honour that on this historic day I assume the chairmanship of the Caribbean Community until 30 June 2006 during which time Trinidad and Tobago will host the 17th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Community on the 9th and 10th of February.