GREATER GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Minister of State of Foreign Affairs (Americas) of Canada, the Honourable Peter Kent reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to the Member States of the Caribbean Community and expressed the intention of Canada to deepen its engagement in the Caribbean by building on the present relationship.
The Minister was speaking during discussions with the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), His Excellency Edwin Carrington, on last week, (Monday, February 16) at the Headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat in Guyana.
In welcoming these sentiments, the CARICOM Secretary-General noted Canada’s long standing relationship with the Caribbean, stressing that Canada has been a reliable friend of the Community.
Among the issues discussed were the upcoming negotiations for a free trade agreement between CARICOM and Canada. The Minister of State indicated that Canada was desirous of having an agreement that would also address issues such as labour, health and human rights. For his part the Secretary-General said CARICOM would be seeking an agreement with a trade-related development component.
The preparations for the upcoming Fifth Summit of the Americas to be held in Trinidad and Tobago, on April 17-19 were also touched upon. Secretary-General Carrington thanked Canada for the assistance it is lending to the process.
The Secretary-General also expressed the Community’s appreciation for the support received from Canada for the strengthening of Haiti’s participation in the CSME, under which the CARICOM Representation Office in Haiti was re-established. He also called for Canada’s support in multilateral fora for issues of concern to the Community, particularly the vulnerability of small states.
Minister Kent recalled Canada’s commitment to CARICOM of Can$600 million made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper when he met with CARICOM leaders in Barbados in 2007 to strengthen regional integration and development. In closing the Secretary-General thanked Canada for its continued assistance to the Region.
