(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), His Excellency Edwin Carrington is in Peru on the first stop of a three-nation visit to South America.

The Secretary-General is in Peru to participate in the Fifth Summit of the European Union and Latin American and Caribbean countries (EU-LAC) which takes place on 16-17 May 2008. As part of that process, there will also be a summit between the Caribbean Forum of African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) States (CARIFORUM) and the EU. Mr. Carrington is also Secretary-General of CARIFORUM which consists of the 14 independent CARICOM Member States and the Dominican Republic.

It will be the first opportunity for CARIFORUM and EU leaders to meet since the end of the negotiations last December for the Economic Partnership Agreement between the two Regions. The Implementation of the Agreement is among items down for discussion on the agenda which is aimed at establishing priorities for a sustainable partnership between the Caribbean and the EU.

The Secretary-General departs Peru for Argentina and Brazil on official visits on the invitation of the respective governments. Accompanied by CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations, His Excellency Colin Granderson and Chef de Cabinet in the Secretary-General’s Office, Ms Glenda Itiaba, Mr Carrington arrives in Argentina on 19 May and the following day will meet with the Minister of Foreign Relations, International Trade and Worship, His Excellency Jorge Taina.

Discussions will focus among other things on CARICOM-Argentina relations, and CARICOM-MERCOSUR relations. Argentina has established diplomatic relations with the Caribbean Community.

The Secretary-General and his team leave for Brazil on 21 May where they will meet with senior officials including Foreign Minister His Excellency Celso Amorim. Brazil has also established diplomatic relations with the Community and discussions are expected to focus on enhanced relations between that country and CARICOM.