Foreign affairs officials advanced preparations for ministerial talks in Dominica

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Georgetown, Guyana) - Senior foreign affairs officials met via video conference anchored at the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat on April 29-30 to review and finalise the foreign policy matters that will be placed on the agenda of the 27th Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) scheduled for 23-24 May in Roseau, Dominica.

In setting the tone for the meeting, Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations, Ms. Elizabeth Solomon stated,

“As we work to finalise the items for the consideration of Ministers at next month’s meeting, we must acknowledge the challenging international environment marked by increased instability and threat to undermine international law and the multilateral system.”

This, she said, underscores the importance of foreign policy coordination for CARICOM Member States, as mandated by the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

“As a collective of Small Island Developing States, we must continue to recognise that our challenges are more easily manoeuvred with joint effort, and the unity of our voices strengthens our resolve.

She said the meeting in Roseau will allow the Community to take stock of its relations with traditional and emerging partners and settle its positions on issues on the regional and international agenda.

Ms. Solomon commended Jamaica’s stewardship of COFCOR over the past year, which resulted in high-level engagements with third states and advanced the Community’s efforts, most notably in support of Haiti.

The Meeting was chaired by Mrs. Barbara Dailey, Permanent Secretary within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Dominica, which assumes the chair of COFCOR from Jamaica when the meeting of foreign ministers convenes later this month.