​(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Good Morning. Mr. Secretary-General, my first and most enjoyable task today is to extend to you the warmest congratulations on your assumption of the office of Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community. We have worked together for many years and I know that in you, the Community is in very capable and committed hands. I wish you a most successful term of office.
edwin carrington
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Sir Edwin, as your successor it is my honour and distinct pleasure to receive your Letters of Credence, accrediting you as Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the Caribbean Community. This is indeed a rare occasion, where the Community has the opportunity to receive as an accredited diplomatic representative, a distinguished son of the soil who has played such an instrumental role in advancing the regional integration movement and in building the Community.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Good Morning. Mr. Secretary-General, my first and most enjoyable task today is to extend to you the warmest congratulations on your assumption of the office of Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community. We have worked together for many years and I know that in you, the Community is in very capable and committed hands. I wish you a most successful term of office.
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Permit me to begin these brief opening remarks to the Seventeenth Meeting of the Ministers of the Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (CARIFORUM) by thanking the Outgoing Chair for the outstanding leadership which she gave to CARIFORUM during her tenure. As Secretary-General of both CARICOM and CARIFORUM, I had the opportunity and privilege to work closely with her. I derived great satisfaction and pride from that very fruitful and constructive working relationship.
​Salutations
Her Excellency the Governor General Colleague Ministers His Excellency Dr. Edwin Carrington Ladies and gentlemen
On Wednesday this week, several of us, representing the people and governments of many Caribbean nations, gathered in Barbados to pay tribute to an outstanding son of the region, who sadly has passed on.
This morning we gather here to pay tribute to another outstanding Caribbean son. Happily, this time, we are doing so while he is alive.
​ It is my pleasure, as Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community, to be in Antigua and Barbuda and to join in greeting you all on behalf of the Caribbean Community Secretariat and indeed of the entire Community.
This meeting comes at a very hectic period for me and the Secretariat, as we are in the process of preparing for the 31st Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, which takes place in Montego Bay, Jamaica in just over a week’s time from 4th to 7th July.
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Hon. Celestino Corbacho, Minister of Labour and Immigration Mr. Laszlo Andor, European Union Commissioner Hon. Ministers of Social Security from the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean Other Distinguished Delegates Representatives of the Media |
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Honourable Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Minister of Public Utilities of Trinidad and Tobago Ms Kathrin Renner, Acting Chargé d’Affaires, European Union Delegation, Trinidad and Tobago Mr. Tyrone Sutherland, Coordinating Director, Caribbean Meteorological Organisation Madam Permanent Secretary and Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. Emmanuel Moolchan, Director, Meteorological Services Division, Ministry of Public Utilities Other Senior Officials |
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As Secretary-General I want to welcome you to the headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat, in particular those of you who may be here for the first time. |