Prime Minister Patterson Lauds RNM Work

CHRIST CHURCH, BARBADOS – Hon. P.J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica, lauded the RNM for “the tremendous work being done” in relation to the Region’s participation in WTO, FTAA and ACP/EU negotiations. He was reporting to the Fourteenth Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community, held from the 14th to 15th of February in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, in his capacity as Chairman of the Prime Ministerial Sub-Committee on External Negotiations. The Prime Minister underscored the important role of the RNM in preparing and guiding the Caribbean Region’s external trade negotiations. He said this in the context of escalating demands on the Region’s technical expertise, institutional capacity and financial resources resulting from its simultaneous participation in the three major trade negotiating theatres. The need to pursue special and differential treatment for small developing countries is a priority for the Region’s negotiators across the negotiating arenas. In keeping with this, Prime Minister Patterson urged the Region to widen and strengthen its diplomacy to reinforce strategic alliances with developing countries with a view to enhancing its strategic interests in on-going negotiations. The Prime Minister cautioned that critical deadlines in the FTAA and WTO were fast approaching and he emphasized the need for the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy to stay on schedule. He was of this view as it would not serve the Region’s interests if the demands of external trade negotiations were to precede the resolution of single market and economy issues within the CARICOM integration process. Prime Minister Patterson expressed disappointment at the lack of progress in the WTO negotiations since the fourth WTO Ministerial in Doha, Qatar. Discussions have stalled because WTO members have failed to reach agreement to give poor countries better access to medicines to treat epidemics such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other infectious diseases. In addition, the refusal of developed countries to reduce subsidies on their agricultural products has been a major source of contention. In light of an increasingly complex trade agenda Prime Minister Patterson was reassured by the RNM having prepared a comprehensive five year Strategic Plan and detailed Work Plan for 2003/04. He noted, however, that success in external trade negotiations was a responsibility not only of the RNM but required the active involvement of Governments, the business sector, trade unions, NGOs and other civil society groups. For More Information Contact: Nand C. Bardouille Tel: (246) 430-1678 email: nbardouille@sunbeach.net