In the same economic vein, the member countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States signed a Declaration of Intent to deepen their integration by forming an economic union. This was during their celebrations in June marking the 25th Anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Basseterre which created the OECS. This will bring greater bargaining power to them and, in addition, can have positive spin-off effects for the strengthening of the wider Caribbean Community.

Haiti

One of the major highlights of the past year was the re-admittance of Haiti into the Community’s Councils. Let me reiterate that CARICOM stands ready to support Haiti as it returns to democracy, and to lend assistance in determined areas. This message was delivered by Chairman of the Community, the Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, the Honourable Dr Denzil Douglas, to the Government and people of Haiti during a visit last October at the head of a Prime Ministerial Mission which included the Prime Ministers of Saint Lucia and Dominica, Dr the Honourable Kenny Anthony and the Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit, respectively, as well as yours truly.

We welcomed the release of Mr. Yvon Neptune, Prime Minister in the Aristide government, following an order by the Appeals Court of Haiti. CARICOM had repeatedly condemned “the abuse of due process and of the rule of law” associated with the detention of Mr. Neptune, without trial. You will hear more on Haiti in a short while from the Deputy Secretary-General.

Further Afield

CARICOM’s relations with the Rio Group, quite an important one in the face of globalisation, were enhanced with the assumption of the Chairmanship of the Rio Group by Guyana on behalf of the Community in January.

Moving further out, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of CARICOM met with the US Secretary of State and agreed to the convening of a Conference on the Caribbean in 2007, with a view to placing Caribbean affairs more firmly on the agenda of the US government and other influential elements in that society. Most notably, three months after that meeting, President Bush declared June as Caribbean American Heritage Month which highlights the contributions of Caribbean Americans to that nation.

Bilaterals

Apart from the US, the Community strengthened bilateral relations, through various meetings with Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mexico, Spain and the United Kingdom.

A major on-going bilateral negotiations occupied a significant part of the year between Europe and the CARIFORUM countries – CARICOM plus Dominican Republic. Those negotiations, the most recent of which was held in Brussels two weeks ago, will continue into the New Year with a scheduled completion at the end of 2007.

The relationship between CARICOM and the United Nations Population Fund was further strengthened by the launch of the South-South Initiative which is intended to institutionalise joint planning and implementation of activities in critical areas of human development in the Community. I have also just returned from delivering the feature address at the Population Fund’s Caribbean Media Awards held in Jamaica where I also held discussions with the representative for Latin America and the Caribbean, Ms Marisela Padron, with a view to strengthening the relationship between our two organisations.

During my recent travels from which I returned only last night, I had the honour of addressing the opening dinner of the 30th Annual Miami Conference on the Caribbean, and I also paid a visit to Guadeloupe in furtherance of our relations with the wider Caribbean.

Diplomatic Enhancement

The Community saw an enhanced diplomatic status with new Ambassadors being accredited to the Community by Germany, Cuba, Barbados, Brazil, the United States and Canada.

Community Relations

The Community received for the first time ever a national award, and it was the highest that Dominica could bestow, the Dominican Award of Honour. It was my privilege to receive it on behalf of the Community in the presence of the Chairman Dr Douglas.

As the year comes to a close, I will be paying an official visit to the Cayman Islands as the Community continues to seek greater involvement by its Associate Members.

Next year seems set to rank as a very auspicious one with the major event being the staging of the ICC Cricket World Cup. The preparatory process for that tournament is in high gear. In that regard, it is critical that this very weekend at least three Member States sign the final text of the CARICOM Special Visa Agreement, bearing in mind that December 15, that is next Friday, is the opening for applications for the visas.

As far as the Cricket World Cup is concerned all of us must play our best strokes as we welcome the world to our shores and ensure that a good time is had by all beyond the boundary! The event has already had a positive effect on the integration movement in a number of ways, in particular in the field of security. Its legacy should therefore be one that would leave the integration arrangements stronger. Of course we will also win the trophy! I hope.

Next year, the Region will also be part of the commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Atlantic Slave Trade, as well as joining Haiti in celebrating the 200th anniversary of its Parliament. Finally, 2007 will also see the staging of the first ever Conference on the Caribbean in Washington D.C. Historic times indeed!

I cannot close without paying tribute to one of the stalwarts of regional integration who departed the formal political stage during 2006. His contribution has been without equal. I speak of none other than the Most Honourable P.J. Patterson, the former Prime Minister of Jamaica.