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Antigua Signs Cooperation Agreement with Guadeloupe
- By S Coward
- Published 12-Jul-11
- Government, Politics, Int'l Relations
- Unrated
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Remarks delivered by Prime Minister Dr. Honourable Baldwin Spencer on
11th July, 2011 at the signing ceremony Of the Declaration of
Cooperation between the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and the
Guadeloupe Regional Council.
Your Excellency - Jean FABRE - Prefect of Guadeloupe
President of the Regional Council of Guadeloupe – the Honourable Victorin LUREL;
Distinguish Presidents of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Chamber of Craft;
Presidents of the Chamber of Agriculture, the regional agency “Guadeloupe Expansion;
President of the association of “CORECA”;
The Acting Head of the Economic Development, Director of the Sea;
Chairperson of the Committee of Tourism;
President of the Institute for Cooperation – FRANCO Caribbean;
President of the Cooperation Committee;
Mr. Carlos Wharton – Caribbean Export Development Agency;
Other Distinguish guests;
Members of the Media
Good Afternoon.
I would like to express my profound appreciation to the Regional Council of Guadeloupe for taking the bold step of signing what is an enhanced bilateral cooperation Agreement for Antigua and Barbuda. An Agreement that establishes a commitment
to cooperate in a number of important
fields. In that regard, I am honored to be here in beautiful Guadeloupe
to participate in this afternoon’s signing ceremony that marks the
culmination of several months of high level discussions and negotiations
between our two sides to elaborate elements of this historic agreement.
Today’s ceremony is also of special significance to us since it is an occasion when neighbours, in the sun swept Caribbean sea who have historic ties and share similar vulnerabilities join hands to surmount the challenges of integration and cooperation.
The evolving global environment demands pragmatism in order for societies to successfully face the economic and developmental challenges. In this regard, a fundamental pillar of our response has been to consolidate and refresh in some instances our bilateral cooperation arrangements with friendly countries, donor agencies and our neighbours.
The close proximity of Guadeloupe and Antigua and Barbuda facilitates cross-border cooperation and the establishment of partnerships; the coordination of projects and activities that would facilitate the exchange of expertise.
The strengthening of our bilateral relations is made easy by other partnerships within the ACP-EU Cotonou agreement and the CARIFORUM –EU Economic Partnership Agreement. Signing of those important Accords binds us together, Guadeloupe as a French Caribbean Outermost Region and Antigua and Barbuda as a full member of the ACP and signatory to the EPA.
The signing ceremony took place between Prime Minister Dr. Honourable Baldwin Spencer and President of the Regional Council of Guadeloupe, the Honourable Victorin Lurel at Hotel Basse-Terre region following a courtesy call on the Prefect, Mr. Jean Fabre.
Your Excellency - Jean FABRE - Prefect of Guadeloupe
President of the Regional Council of Guadeloupe – the Honourable Victorin LUREL;
Distinguish Presidents of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Chamber of Craft;
Presidents of the Chamber of Agriculture, the regional agency “Guadeloupe Expansion;
President of the association of “CORECA”;
The Acting Head of the Economic Development, Director of the Sea;
Chairperson of the Committee of Tourism;
President of the Institute for Cooperation – FRANCO Caribbean;
President of the Cooperation Committee;
Mr. Carlos Wharton – Caribbean Export Development Agency;
Other Distinguish guests;
Members of the Media
Good Afternoon.
I would like to express my profound appreciation to the Regional Council of Guadeloupe for taking the bold step of signing what is an enhanced bilateral cooperation Agreement for Antigua and Barbuda. An Agreement that establishes a commitment
Today’s ceremony is also of special significance to us since it is an occasion when neighbours, in the sun swept Caribbean sea who have historic ties and share similar vulnerabilities join hands to surmount the challenges of integration and cooperation.
The evolving global environment demands pragmatism in order for societies to successfully face the economic and developmental challenges. In this regard, a fundamental pillar of our response has been to consolidate and refresh in some instances our bilateral cooperation arrangements with friendly countries, donor agencies and our neighbours.
The close proximity of Guadeloupe and Antigua and Barbuda facilitates cross-border cooperation and the establishment of partnerships; the coordination of projects and activities that would facilitate the exchange of expertise.
The strengthening of our bilateral relations is made easy by other partnerships within the ACP-EU Cotonou agreement and the CARIFORUM –EU Economic Partnership Agreement. Signing of those important Accords binds us together, Guadeloupe as a French Caribbean Outermost Region and Antigua and Barbuda as a full member of the ACP and signatory to the EPA.