Would like a Declaration soon
OAS -- Feb. 26, 2009 -- The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS),
José Miguel Insulza, announced today that “the key topic of the
economic crisis” will be addressed by the 34 Heads of State and
Government of the continent when they meet in the V Summit of the
Americas, which will take place between in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and
Tobago on April 17 -19.
At the inauguration of the Third
Ordinary Session of 2009 of the Summit Implementation Review Group
(SIRG) that brings together negotiators of the OAS Member States to
debate the content of the Draft Declaration of Commitment of Port-of
Spain, Insluza stated that the Heads of State and Government will
consider the effects of the global financial and economic crisis on the
region.
“We would like to have a declaration soon, so that the
Heads of State and Government can read and examine it before attending
the Summit; especially as there will be necessary modifications, after
the G20 meeting ( that will be held in London on April 2nd), on the big
topic about the economic crisis,” expressed Insulza to the negotiators.
In
his intervention at the SIRG meeting, Insulza informed the delegates of
the Member States about the results of his visit last week to Trinidad
and Tobago, where he met with Prime Minister Patrick Manning, and with
members of his cabinet to learn about the preliminary work that is
being done in preparation for the V Summit of the Americas.
“I
want to thank the Prime Minister and his Government, as well as the
office of National Coordination for my visit to Trinidad and Tobago a
couple of days ago. I want to inform you that it was a pleasant,
productive but especially, stimulating visit. I met with the Prime
Minister and his ministers, who are most involved with the Summit’s
themes and my impression with regards to the preparations of the Summit
in Trinidad and Tobago is excellent,” declared the leader of the top
hemispheric institution.
“I believe that I can assert with
certainty, from what I have seen, that the facilities are excellent,
those for the inaugural session, the plenary session, and the Heads of
State and Governments’ retreat, as well as the delegations’ offices
that will be available during their visit. Therefore, I am convinced
that it will be a very productive Summit” stated the Secretary General.
On the other hand, the National Coordinator and Special Envoy
for the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago, Luis Alberto Rodriguez,
stressed that Insulza’s visit to the country “was very welcomed and
very important to go over some important logistic aspects.”
Rodriguez,
who acts as President of the GRIC, informed that the National
Coordinators, who are meeting during this week to continue with the
negotiations of the Draft Declaration of Commitment of Port-of-Spain,
will focus their debate on the paragraphs that refer to strengthening
of the hemisphere’s democratic governance, and the follow-up,
implementation and effectiveness of the Summits of the Americas and its
mandates.
The Draft Declaration of Commitment of Port-of-Spain
is entitled: “Securing Our Citizens’ Future by Promoting Human
Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability”. The
document will be submitted for consideration of the Heads of State and
Government of the 34 OAS Member States during the Summit, in Trinidad
and Tobago.