JIS – Prime Minister P. J. Patterson said that Jamaica had a lead role to play as Chair of the G77 and China in ensuring that the interests of the developing world are considered at the Prime Minister P. J. Patterson scheduled to be held in New York in September.
The Prime Minister mentioned two such interests as the progress in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the achievement of the internationally agreed targets for Overseas Development Aid of 0.7% of GNP of developed countries to developing countries. The Prime Minister made these comments during bilateral talks with the Chilean President H. E. Ricardo Lagos on Monday, August 29, in Santiago, Chile.
The issues of the MDGs and the Overseas Development Aid to developing countries have been restated at various Summits including Johannesburg, Monterrey, Mauritius and Doha and these should not be allowed to lose momentum, Mr. Patterson said.
The two heads also explored a number of areas for bilateral cooperation in air services, tourism, agriculture, aquaculture, reforestation, technology as well as sporting and cultural exchanges.
Technical teams from JAMPRO, Jamaica Tourist Board, Airport Authority and the Ministry of Transport and Works are meeting with their Chilean counterparts to strengthen cooperation in those respective areas. A Memorandum of Understanding is expected to be signed between both countries covering the general and broad framework for an Air Transport Services Agreement.
H.E. Ricardo Lagos thanked Prime Minister Patterson for the lead role that Jamaica played in securing the post of Secretary General for the Organisation of American States for the Chilean Candidate, Mr. Jose Miguel Insulza.
Before the bilateral talks, a welcome ceremony was held in the Prime Minister’s honour which involved the inspection of the Guard of Honour of the Regimiento Granaderos in Santiago.
Prime Minister Patterson will also deliver a lecture on the theme “Strengthening Regionalism: A Catalyst for the Survival of Small States” at the Headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and address Chilean entrepreneurs during his official visit.
