As Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, I would like to thank the Ministry of External Affairs and International Trade and Civil Aviation for affording me the privilege of presenting this address on the occasion of the re-launch of your Council on Economic External Trade, on the eve of the historic Meeting of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, on the Revival of the Regional Economy. I could not but notice the spirit of determination inherent in this national effort and heartily congratulate those involved.
Saint Lucia
The state of the economies of the Member States of the Caribbean Community will be placed under the microscope when CARICOM Heads of Government meet in Saint Lucia for a Special Meeting on 16 August 2002.
The decision for a meeting to focus specifically on the Region's economies was taken when CARICOM Heads of Government met in Guyana for their 23rd regular meeting in early July 2002.
SALUTATIONS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I last visited Guyana at the behest of my colleague Heads, acting as their envoy, and charged with the responsibility for assisting with the resolution of the country's political problems.
The Fifth Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) was held in Castries, Saint Lucia on 6-7 May, 2001. The Ministers attending were_ the Hon. Sir Ronald Sanders, Chief Foreign Affairs Representative with Ministerial Rank, Antigua and Barbuda; the Hon. Billie Miller, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Barbados; the Hon. Elvin Nimrod, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Affairs, Grenada; Hon. S. R. Insanally, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Guyana; the Hon.
Mr. Chairman
Honourable Ministers
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Delegates
Distinguished Guests
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
I hope that the Honourable Minister and the Government and people of Saint Lucia would not find me presumptous if I were to claim honorary citizenship and welcome you to Saint Lucia as well as to this, the Fifth Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR).
Distinguished Secretary General
Foreign Minister of Guyana and Chairman of COFCOR
Distinguished Deputy Prime Ministers of Barbados and
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Distinguished Foreign Ministers
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Senior Officials of Member States
Distinguished Guests
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is indeed an honour and distinct pleasure to receive the Letter of Introduction from the Honourable Minister for External Affairs, International Trade and Civil Aviation of Saint Lucia, the Honourable Julian Hunte appointing His Excellency Anthony Severin as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Saint Lucia to the Caribbean Community.
Honourable Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis
Honourable Ministers of CARIFORUM
Distinguished Director of the European Commission for West and Central Africa and the Caribbean
Other Heads of CARIFORUM Delegation
Mr. Secretary-General
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Delegates
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
Secretary General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Mr Edwin Carrington, is slated to deliver the key note address at the eighth National Consultation with Civil Society in Saint Lucia as the Community advances towards its goal of integrating ideas from the non-government sector into a forward-looking strategy for the Region.
The government of Saint Lucia through the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Community Development will host the forum in Castries, Saint Lucia's capital, tomorrow, 19 October 2001.
The Prime Minister of Saint Lucia Dr. the Hon. Kenny Anthony and CARICOM Head of Government with responsibility for Justice and Governance will be arriving in Guyana this Sunday October 29, 2000.
During his three-day visit, Dr. Anthony will meet with H.E. Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo, President of the Republic of Guyana, Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Desmond Hoyte and CARICOM Secretary-General Mr. Edwin Carrington.