The Caribbean Community has lost yet another of its distinguished personalities on this occasion a daughter- Ms Eugenia AJean@ Pierre, T.C.

It is with deep sorrow that the Community has learnt of the death of Ms Pierre, a national icon of Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region.

Ms Pierre=s name is synonymous with one of the most popular sports in our Community, netball,  and her exploits on the field of play included leading her country to the pinnacle of that sport as world champions in 1979. Her contributions did not end there, as she was active in coaching and administration and indeed her last years were spent in one of the Community=s Associate Member States, the Cayman Islands coaching in the sport she so loved.

Away from netball, Ms Pierre also served her country as a Cabinet Minister and Member of Parliament between 1991 and 1995.

The death of Ms Pierre is not only Trinidad and Tobago=s loss but that of the entire Community. On behalf of the Caribbean Community, its Secretariat and on my own behalf, I extend sincere condolences to the family of Ms Pierre and the Government and People of Trinidad and Tobago and indeed to the wider Community.