Your Excellency Arthur N.R. Robinson, OCC, President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
The Hon. Basdeo Panday, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, and Chairman of the Conference of Heads of Government
Other Distinguished Heads of State and Government
Distinguished Prime Minister of Spain
President of the Senate of Trinidad and Tobago
Hon. Speaker of the House of Trinidad and Tobago
Hon. Chief Justice
Hon. Ministers of Government
Secretary-General of the Commonwealth
Member
Distinguished Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago
Other Colleague Heads of Government
Secretary General
Ladies and Gentlemen_
In 1986, the Rt. Excellent Errol Barrow closed what was to be his final address to this Conference of Heads by citing the words of John Bunyan in Pilgrim's Progress_
"Though with much difficulty I have come hither, yet do I not repent me of the trouble I have taken".
He was obviously also speaking on my behalf.
Esteemed Colleagues,
Distinguished Ministers of Foreign Affairs,
Distinguished Ambassadors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is, indeed, a great pleasure for me to attend the Twentieth Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Trinidad and Tobago. I would like to express my thanks to the Government and people of Trinidad and Tobago for the gracious hospitality extended to my delegation and me.
PROFESSOR JOYCELIN MASSIAH
Professor Joycelin Massiah, born in Guyana, citizen of Barbados with several years of service in Jamaica, is a Caribbean Woman whose entire life has been one of service in response to the pressing challenges of the Region. For three decades she has been involved in every aspect of Caribbean society, particularly as it relates to the role of women and their pivotal position in the family.
Your excellency the President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Your Excellency the Prime Minister of Spain
The Hon. Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and
Chairman of the Caribbean Community
Heads of Government
Secretary-General Carrington
Distinguished Delegates
Ladies and Gentlemen_
It is my singular pleasure to extend a warm welcome to this distinguished assembly, at this opening ceremony of the Twentieth Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.
I extend this welcome on behalf of the people and the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Georgetown, Guyana) The XX Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community begins in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday, July 4 with an opening ceremony at the Hilton Trinidad Hotel and Conference Centre.
Most of the leaders will be arriving in Trinidad shortly after attending the European Union/Latin American and Caribbean Summit which ended in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Tuesday, June 29.
The Parties met at 15_30 hours on 14 June, 1999 as agreed.
Representing the Peoples Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/Civic) were -
- Mr. Donald Ramotar
- Ms. Gail Teixeira
Representing the Peoples National Congress (PNC) were_
- Mr. Lance Carberry
- Mr. Lloyd Joseph
This was a Preliminary Meeting to discuss proposals by both sides for an agreed agenda for the Dialogue.
The PPP/Civic proposed the following items -
The Fourth Meeting of the Community Council of Ministers, the second highest decision-making forum of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), takes place in Georgetown, Guyana on 11 - 12 June, 1999.
The Community Council of Ministers will examine preparations for the 20th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government which takes place in Trinidad and Tobago on 4 - 7 July, 1999, and the Region's readiness to face the challenges associated with the Y2K phenomenon.
The CARICOM Single Market and Economy was significantly advanced as regional Attorneys-General and Ministers of Legal Affairs approved and commended for signature by the Conference of Heads of Government, three Protocols amending the Treaty establishing the Caribbean Community. The Instruments_ Protocol IV - Trade Policy; Protocol VI - Transport Policy, and Protocol VII - Disadvantaged Countries, Regions and Sectors, are expected to be signed at the Twentieth Meeting of the Conference to be convened in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago in July 1999.