Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Portia Simpson Miller, on Thursday told President of the United States Barack Obama that he was on the right side of history in US-Cuba relations. She said the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads fully embraced the recent positive developments on the matter.

“We commend you Mr. President and President Raul Castro for this bold and courageous move to renew USA-Cuba bilateral relations for the common good of all our peoples,” she said during the brief opening ceremony of the CARICOM-US Summit in Jamaica at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus.

The Jamaican Head of Government stated that the United States and the Member States of CARICOM were uniquely positioned as strategic hemispheric partners united by fundamental values. She said there was a shared interdependence and desire to address common concerns including the threat to the security and well-being of citizens.

Prime Minister Simpson-Miller noted that trade and economic relations remained vital to the sustainable development of the Region. She also emphasized the importance of joint action on the environment including climate change.

“Our dialogue today reaffirms our strong partnerships and signals our desire to take CARICOM-US relations to a higher level, capitalizing on the gains of the past and exploring new opportunities for the future,” Prime Minister Simpson-Miller said.

Turning her attention to the youth, Prime Minister Simpson-Miller said that the young people were the driving force behind increased cultural contacts in the hemisphere and served as a reminder that through advancement in technology the world had become a global village. She also encouraged the President to think about additional ways in which he could continue to inspire the youth.

In her remarks, the host Prime Minister said that the CARICOM Heads of Government were deeply appreciative of the US President’s initiative to engage with CARICOM on Regional and international issues of interest to both sides. She said they were encouraged by his engagement, and voiced continued commitment to a partnership between CARICOM and the USA.

“We anticipate fruitful and productive exchanges at our meeting today to move the development process forward in the Caribbean Region and the hemisphere of the Americas,” she said.