Senior EU and Caribbean officials met in Brussels on Thursday 15 July to advance negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement which were launched in April. There was a broad understanding on the scope and priorities of the negotiations, which are aimed at promoting sustainable development in the Caribbean through increased trade, investment and regional integration. Agreement was reached on modalities for a task force set up to facilitate the inter-linkage between the negotiations and development assistance.
European Union
European and Caribbean leaders ended an historic meeting here today with the EU assuring the Caribbean that its interests would be constantly borne in mind in deliberations within the EU, and in EU representation in deliberations of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). This, in response to Caribbean concerns about recent developments and the outlook for their key exports of sugar and bananas in the EU and in the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The meeting agreed to further strengthen EU-CARIFORUM cooperation in key common areas, HIV/AIDS, Drugs and Crime and Security.
The Heads of State and of Government of Caribbean ACP States (CARIFORUM) and the European Union represented by the Troika, met in Guadalajara Mexico on 29 May 2004, on the occasion of the III Summit of Heads of State and of Government of the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean. They reaffirmed their commitment to the principles and priorities established by previous summits held in Rio de Janeiro 1999, Madrid in 2002, and the recently concluded Summit held in Guadalajara.
CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS ā At a recently concluded āmini-ministerialā, convened in Paris, Hon. Clement Rohee, CARICOM Ministerial Spokesperson for World Trade Organization (WTO) issues and Minister of Foreign Trade and International Cooperation- Guyana, underscored that development has to be at the core of the WTOās Doha Round. Minister Rohee also highlighted the significance to CARICOM of Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT). He stressed the importance of recognizing the vulnerabilities of Small Developing Economies.
CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS ā CARICOM welcomes elements of a joint letter on the World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Development Agenda (DDA), issued by European Commissioners for Trade and Agriculture, Pascal Lamy and Franz Fischler, respectively. This according to the Director-General of the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery (RNM), Ambassador Dr. Richard Bernal. Ambassador Bernal was speaking to members of the international press, in London, May 11, where he is attending the Fourth Meeting of the UK-Caribbean Forum.
KINGSTON, JAMAICA ā CARIFORUM-European Union (EU) negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) were officially launched in Kingston, Jamaica, April 16. The formal CARIFORUM EPA launch commencement proceedings were followed by the First Joint EPA Ministerial Negotiating Meeting, between the two sides, convened the same day.
Immediately preceding the April 16 events was a Special Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on External Economic Negotiations, also held in Kingston.
KINGSTON, JAMAICA ā CARIFORUM-European Union (EU) negotiations for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) were officially launched in Kingston, Jamaica, April 16. The launch was hosted by the Government of Jamaica.
The CARIFORUM-EU EPA, which will be the outcome of negotiations launched yesterday - set to come to a close December 2007 ā was described by the Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Hon. P.J. Patterson, as blending āelements of continuity and elements of changeā.
CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS ā The Sixteenth Meeting of the Caricom Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) was held in Belize City, Belize, during the first week of March.
Several key decisions were made regarding external trade matters, including on issues related to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), respectively.
Concerning Africa Caribbean Pacific-European Union (ACP-EU) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations, COTED affirmed that a regional EPA must make a meaningful contribution to development.
It is with mixed feelings that I take part in this very important ceremony today. Mixed feelings because as you all know earlier this week there was the unfortunate passing of the Honourable Pierre Charles, the late Prime Minister of Dominica, on Tuesday, 6 January. Mixed feelings because today, I have the privilege and honour to sign, on behalf of CARIFORUM, a Financing Agreement, which provides for financial support valued at 11.95 Million Euro for Air Access Improvement for Dominica.
European Commission approves ā¬ 13 million (approximately GYD 3 billion) assistance programme to complete Weather Radar Network Warning System