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- CARICOM: 21st Intersessional Communique
CLose review of US trade agenda
EXTERNAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS
The Conference reviewed the outcome of the first round of negotiations with Canada for a Trade and Development Agreement. The Conference reiterated the Community’s commitment to achieving a balanced and mutually beneficial Agreement that reflects the development aspirations of the Region and takes account of its vulnerabilities even as it grapples with the challenges arising from the ongoing economic and financial crisis.
The Conference welcomed the signature by Haiti, of the CARIFORUM-EC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the tabling by The Bahamas, of its Services offer to the EC. The Conference acknowledged the designation of the CARIFORUM Coordinator under the EPA and urged that every effort be made to convene the first meeting of the CARIFORUM-EC Joint Council as soon as possible to facilitate the work of institutions established under the Agreement.
The Conference welcomed the establishment of the EPA Unit within the CARICOM Secretariat to assist CARIFORUM States to discharge their obligations under the Agreement and to take advantage of the opportunities it offers for increasing exports to the EC.
The Conference expressed appreciation to the United Kingdom Government for the contribution of Aid for Trade resources in the form of an initial grant of five million pounds to establish the CARTFund in the CDB which would assist with EPA implementation among other things.
The Conference noted that the market access concessions on Bananas and Rum, granted by the EC in Free Trade Agreements just concluded with Colombia and Peru, will pose serious challenges for CARIFORUM States in EC markets for these products. The Conference acknowledged the right of the EC to conclude free trade agreements with third countries but emphasized that this should not be at the expense of CARIFORUM countries.
The Conference expressed strong support for the initiative in the United States Senate to propose a Bill for extension
of the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership Act (CBTPA), primarily to facilitate continued exports of apparel by Haiti to the US market. The Conference appreciated that the extension, if approved, would also apply to all eligible CARICOM countries.
The Conference agreed that the US trade agenda should be kept under close review, taking into account the Community’s engagement with the US Administration and Congress in the context of securing expansion of CBERA to include Services and the conclusion of a CARICOM-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).
The Conference welcomed the work being done by the Community to select a project for funding under Aid for Trade resources.
SUMMITS
The Conference also noted the preparations underway for the two confirmed forthcoming Summits, the CARICOM-Brazil Summit and the Sixth European Union-Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) Summit.
EXCHANGE OF VIEWS WITH OAS SECRETARY-GENERAL
The Conference welcomed the Secretary-General of the OAS as he gave his thoughts on the future of the OAS were he to be re-elected to the post.
The Secretary-General assured the Conference that greater emphasis would be placed on human capacity building as well as on the issue of human security, an increasing concern for the Region. A better balance would be sought between the major priorities of the organization–democracy, human rights and development.
The Conference endorsed Secretary-General Insulza’s candidature for a second term in keeping with the recommendation made by the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR).
APPRECIATION
The Conference expressed their appreciation to the Government and people of the Commonwealth of Dominica for the generous hospitality and the excellent arrangements put in place for the Meeting.
DATE AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING
The Conference agreed that the Thirty-First Regular Meeting of the Conference will be held in Jamaica.
CONTACT: piu@caricom.org
The Conference reviewed the outcome of the first round of negotiations with Canada for a Trade and Development Agreement. The Conference reiterated the Community’s commitment to achieving a balanced and mutually beneficial Agreement that reflects the development aspirations of the Region and takes account of its vulnerabilities even as it grapples with the challenges arising from the ongoing economic and financial crisis.
The Conference welcomed the signature by Haiti, of the CARIFORUM-EC Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the tabling by The Bahamas, of its Services offer to the EC. The Conference acknowledged the designation of the CARIFORUM Coordinator under the EPA and urged that every effort be made to convene the first meeting of the CARIFORUM-EC Joint Council as soon as possible to facilitate the work of institutions established under the Agreement.
The Conference welcomed the establishment of the EPA Unit within the CARICOM Secretariat to assist CARIFORUM States to discharge their obligations under the Agreement and to take advantage of the opportunities it offers for increasing exports to the EC.
The Conference expressed appreciation to the United Kingdom Government for the contribution of Aid for Trade resources in the form of an initial grant of five million pounds to establish the CARTFund in the CDB which would assist with EPA implementation among other things.
The Conference noted that the market access concessions on Bananas and Rum, granted by the EC in Free Trade Agreements just concluded with Colombia and Peru, will pose serious challenges for CARIFORUM States in EC markets for these products. The Conference acknowledged the right of the EC to conclude free trade agreements with third countries but emphasized that this should not be at the expense of CARIFORUM countries.
The Conference expressed strong support for the initiative in the United States Senate to propose a Bill for extension
The Conference agreed that the US trade agenda should be kept under close review, taking into account the Community’s engagement with the US Administration and Congress in the context of securing expansion of CBERA to include Services and the conclusion of a CARICOM-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA).
The Conference welcomed the work being done by the Community to select a project for funding under Aid for Trade resources.
SUMMITS
The Conference also noted the preparations underway for the two confirmed forthcoming Summits, the CARICOM-Brazil Summit and the Sixth European Union-Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) Summit.
EXCHANGE OF VIEWS WITH OAS SECRETARY-GENERAL
The Conference welcomed the Secretary-General of the OAS as he gave his thoughts on the future of the OAS were he to be re-elected to the post.
The Secretary-General assured the Conference that greater emphasis would be placed on human capacity building as well as on the issue of human security, an increasing concern for the Region. A better balance would be sought between the major priorities of the organization–democracy, human rights and development.
The Conference endorsed Secretary-General Insulza’s candidature for a second term in keeping with the recommendation made by the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR).
APPRECIATION
The Conference expressed their appreciation to the Government and people of the Commonwealth of Dominica for the generous hospitality and the excellent arrangements put in place for the Meeting.
DATE AND VENUE FOR NEXT MEETING
The Conference agreed that the Thirty-First Regular Meeting of the Conference will be held in Jamaica.
CONTACT: piu@caricom.org
