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PRESS RELEASE

Caribbean Community Secretariat, P.O. Box 10827, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana; Tel: 592-222-0001/0075 Fax: 592-222-0171/0095; E-mail: <carisec3@caricom.org><piu@caricom.org>; Website: http://www.caricom.org

NO: 210/2011

DATE: 10 June 2011

(CARICOM Secretariat, Turekeyn, Greater Georgetown, Guyana)


REMARKS BY H.E. ALEXIS ROSADO, CHAIRMAN, AT THE OPENING OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE UNDER THE CARIFORUM-EU ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT (EPA), BARBADOS, 9-10 JUNE 2011

Let me begin by recognizing Barbados, our gracious hosts. I want to thank our hosts for the excellent arrangements put in place for this historic Meeting. Barbados is known for its warmth and hospitality, and so we are happy to be here. I want to welcome all here to the opening of this First Meeting of the Trade and Development Committee under the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). I want to register our appreciation to you, Peter, and those members of the EU Delegation who have come from far afield. We are no less grateful to those in your delegation who have travelled shorter distances. Looking across the table, I am heartened to see so many familiar faces. To Colleagues on my side of the table, I bid you welcome. The breadth of representation is impressive, as is the range of disciplines represented by way of the experts present. All told, our delegation is emblematic of the importance placed on this meeting. I want, especially, to acknowledge the presence at this forum of the newly appointed Director General of CARIFORUM and CARIFORUM Coordinator, Mr Ivan Ogando. He takes on this task at a time when CARIFORUM States are seeking to strengthen and breathe new life into role and responsibilities of CARIFORUM. That we are all here in our numbers speaks volumes, with respect to the importance we place on this landmark meeting. Colleagues, as we are all aware the CARIFORUM-EU EPA provides for a Trade and Development Committee to assist the Joint CARIFORUM-EU Council, established under the Agreement. The Joint Council at its Meeting, on 17 May 2010, approved Rules of Procedure for the Committee, the second highest institution after the Joint Council. The Trade and Development Committees functions include supervision of and responsibility for the implementation and proper application of the provisions of the Agreement. As already alluded, these functions

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extend to the provision of assistance to the Joint Council in the performance of its functions in relation to the implementation of the EPA. It is with a great deal of satisfaction that I declare open this First Meeting of the Trade and Development Committee, which, regrettably, comes later than we would have liked. I want to take this opportunity to underscore that while the convening of this Committee was delayed, the business of EPA implementation amongst CARIFORUM States has continued apace. Since the inaugural meeting of the Joint Council, notable strides have been made, albeit with a mixed record of success. This meeting will afford us an opportunity to delve into this record. In this respect, a range of areas contribute to the agenda, namely: legal issues; ratification of the Agreement; institutional matters; Trade in Goods; Trade in Services; Trade-related Issues; development cooperation; and monitoring the implementation of the EPA. Let me take a moment to draw your attention to the very important institutional advances in a number of CARIFORUM States, which have better positioned these States to advance on EPA implementation. In this regard, the United Kingdom Governments Caribbean Aid for Trade and Regional Integration Trust Fund (CARTFund) has been instrumental in making possible the establishment of EPA Implementation Units in a number of CARIFORUM States. These Units are expected to have a direct and positive impact on EPA implementation in these States. I would be remiss if I did not also acknowledge the instrumental role of the CARTFund in supporting the EPA Implementation Unit established to assist CARIFORUM States in the discharge of their obligations under the Agreement. These institutional additions to the EPA implementation landscape across the Region are very tangible expressions of EU States' commitment to assisting their EPA partners through Aid for Trade. Since the inaugural meeting of the Joint Council, these institutional advances have emerged as vital components of the machinery of EPA implementation in the Region. In closing, let me say that while CARIFORUM States have made strides with respect to EPA implementation, there is a recognition that they must redouble their efforts in the thrust to derive maximum benefit from the Agreement, while at the same time making every effort at timely attention to their obligations. Again, it is with a great deal of satisfaction that I declare this Meeting open. I wish us all fruitful deliberation. I thank you. END CONTACT: piu@caricom.org

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