(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General H.E Edwin Carrington received today, Italy’s Order of Merit, Commander Class in an impressive ceremony at the Headquarters of the CARICOM Secretariat, Guyana. The bestowal was made by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Honourable Vittorio Craxi.

The award was in recognition of his “long-lasting commitment for the development and integration of the Caribbean Region; his deep and sincere friendship towards our country certified by the significant effort to multiply the contacts and occasions of international collaboration with Italy, and the continuation of the common objective to materialize such bows in a cooperation agreement and political dialogue, his high human qualities, the negotiation skills and the capacity to guide the CARICOM Secretariat in a difficult moment for the integration process of the commercial relations with Europe...”

Accepting the award on behalf of the Community, the Secretary General said he was touched by the “striking gesture of appreciation” by Italy and indicated that he would “wear it with pride”. He asked the Minister Craxi to convey his gratitude to the Government and people of Italy.

The Secretary General received the award at the conclusion of a presentation by Minister Craxi heading an eight Member delegation, of an audiovisual presentation in promotion of Italy’s bid to host the 2015 Universal Registered Exposition in Milan under the theme `Feeding the Planet; Energy for Life’.