(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) History was created when Spain’s first Ambassador to CARICOM presented credentials to CARICOM Secretary-General H.E. Edwin Carrington on Tuesday 17 April at CARICOM Headquarters in Georgetown.

Ambassador Jesus Silva in remarks at the ceremony saw this development as the beginning of “another phase between the already deep relations between Spain and CARICOM”; one that signals Spain’s deepening political commitment to the Caribbean Region.

For the past 15 years, Ambassador Silva recalled, there has been a steady increase in the involvement of Spanish civil society in the economies of Caribbean countries including investments in Trinidad and Tobago, the Bahamas and the tourism sector of Jamaica. Further expansion within the Region is contemplated, he added.

In response CARICOM Secretary-General, Edwin Carrington cited as evidence of the harmonious and increasingly close relationship between Spain and CARICOM, the successful staging so far of CARICOM/Spain Summits; in 1999, 2002 and 2006 with another planned for 2008.

The Secretary-General referred to other manifestations of the high level of cooperation between Spain and CARICOM, such as the visits three CARICOM Prime Ministers made to Spain in 2000 and 2001, and CARICOM support to Spain in its bid to host the World Exposition in Zaragosa next year under the theme `Water and Sustainable Development’. “The Community therefore expresses its appreciation of Spain’s support in enabling the CARICOM pavilion to be a central focus of the Fair,” the Secretary General said.

Thirteen CARICOM Member States have indicated their intention to participate in the three-month exposition under the Regional Theme `Water Unites Us’. On 12 July, 2008, the Exhibition will share in CARICOM’s celebration of a single (CARICOM) National Day.

The programme of cooperation between Spain and CARICOM for the next four years includes democratic governance, public participation and institutional development, coverage of social needs, the environment, culture, gender and development and the promotion of economic and business activities.