(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) The Hon. Fruendel Stuart, Prime Minister of Barbados has said that amid the challenges encountered in the journey of integration, an objective evaluation of the last 40 years would reveal a more closely knit Community, today, than at any other time in the region’s history.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), The Hon. Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, has affirmed the strength of the integration movement, and has urged a demonstration of steadfastness to make CARICOM an “even greater force within the world community.”
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, for their Thirty-Fourth Regular Meeting, will place the spotlight on persons with disabilities and special needs as they consider Haiti’s proposal for a high level meeting on the issue.
At the opening of the Conference on Wednesday, at least two Heads of State made reference to the subject that they said was dear to the hearts.
Mr. Chairman,
Your Excellency, President of Trinidad and Tobago,
Honourable Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago,
Fellow Heads of Government,
Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.
Today is the 4th day of July, in the year of our Lord 2013. Forty years ago at this place, the Treaty of Chaguaramas was signed. Today, we try to re-enact what happened forty years ago.
I am pleased to be here in Trinidad and Tobago. This is my third visit this year. It is a delight to be here once more. I must say however, well before this year I was familiar with Trinidad. I spent many of my early years as a public figure visiting your fine country and enjoying the people and of course, Carnival.
Let me say to you Mr. President and my colleague Prime Minister thank you for the kind hospitality which you have offered to me and my delegation on this visit and the previous visits that I made to your beautiful country.
Among the many things we the people of the Caribbean have in common is the warm and welcoming Caribbean Sea. Its foamy crests embrace all our coastlines. Our island homes are set like tiny jewels amidst its crystal blue waters. Yet each jewel is different – rare and precious –distinctive and diverse. As Caribbean peoples, our similarities and our differences have origins in unique experiences of altered histories.
(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Gains have been made regarding Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (CARIFORUM) implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU), since the signing of the landmark trade and development accord by fourteen CARIFORUM States in October 2008 and by the fifteenth state, Haiti, in December 2009.
It is an extremely momentous occasion for me, my Government and the people of Trinidad and Tobago to welcome you to our beautiful twin island Republic on this historic observance of the 40th anniversary of the Caribbean Community and the convening of the 34th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community. The citizens of Trinidad and Tobago join with me in extending our genuine “Trinbagonian” hospitality; a warmth that is a feature of the Region.
It is with immense pleasure and a deep sense of Caribbean patriotism that I welcome my sisters and brothers of the region to this most historic occasion.
Forty (40) years ago on this day, the founding fathers of the region executed what is perhaps, the most significant accord that would govern the relationship of the nation-states which comprise the Caribbean Community.
There can be no doubt that the historic signing of July 4th 1973, was preceded by long and meticulous study, debate and articulation towards the final product; the Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Forty years ago, an air of expectation and spirit of hope filled the Caribbean air. The Commonwealth Caribbean had made the move from the free trade area of Dickenson Bay to the Community and Common Market of Chaguaramas. The Georgetown Accord had been transformed into the Treaty of Chaguaramas and a new era of deepened integration had begun.