REMARKS DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY LAWRENCE SYLVESTER, AMBASSADOR OF BELIZE TO CARICOM ON THE OCCASION OF THE PRESENTATION OF HIS CREDENTIALS TO THE SECRETARY-GENERAL OF THE CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY (CARICOM) AT THE CARICOM SECRETARIAT, 5 APRIL 2002, GEORGETOWN, GUYANA

Your Excellency, Mr. Secretary-General,

It is a distinct honour and privilege to present to you this letter confirming my appointment by the Government of Belize as Belize's Ambassador to the Caribbean Community.

In doing so, I have been asked to convey cordial greetings from Prime Minister the Honourable Said Musa, the Government and people of Belize who hold high regard for the dynamic leadership and sterling service you and members of the Secretariat provide to the Community and its institutions.

Excellency, Belize's membership in CARICOM is of paramount importance in our Foreign Policy.

The attainment of Belize's political independence and sovereignty and maintenance of our territorial integrity were achieved with the unstinting support of the membership of the Community . CARICOM's work programmes in economic, social and human development, regional integration and policy harmonisation, foreign and community cooperation; partner with our national efforts to improve quality of life for all Belizeans.

CARICOM has nurtured the young Belizean nation affording us a facility to confront the many challenges and maximise benefit from the scarce opportunities which exist at the regional and international level. Belize at twenty one remains steadfast in its commitment to CARICOM and its efforts towards the attainment of a viable, internationally competitive and sustainable Community.

Mr. Secretary-General, the recent intensity of the Community's activity impacts on several facets of Caribbean Human endeavour. Prime Minister Musa, on his assumption to office as Chairman of the Conference of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community listed as his priorities for his six-month tenure; greater collaboration with Central America, greater involvement of Caribbean people in Caribbean decision-making and to give practical effect to CARICOM's work towards the establishment of the Single Market and Economy.

The course ahead may at sometimes seem daunting. Heavy responsibility rests upon our shoulders. Belize though, is convinced that without Caribbean unity and harmony, success cannot be achieved; and thus Mr. Secretary-General we re-dedicate our youthful energy to advancing the mutual interests of Belize and the Community.