Noting that major actors have shown a decreased interest in finding a collective approach to global problems, CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque has advised that regional states continue to press for multilateralism, as they coordinate efforts going forward.
His comment was made yesterday, during a two-day meeting held in St Georges, Grenada, where he addressed foreign ministers gathered for the 22nd Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR).
The meeting, according to a CARICOM Secretariat release, was centred on coordinating foreign policy matters to promote regional development and ensure the Caribbean remains a Zone of Peace.
It was reported that The Bahamas’ Foreign Minister, Darren Henfield, while handing over the chairmanship of the COFCOR to Grenadian Foreign Affairs Minister, Peter David, noted that while the Caribbean’s financial sector was being severely impacted by “unfair and unwarranted pressure” from the mechanisms proposed by the EU and other developed countries to regulate it, there has been recent traction gained by the Community through cooperation with Romania and the United States, partnerships that are aimed at building resilience.
He related that CARICOM was heartened by Romania’s commitment to advocate and facilitate discussions on the blacklisting of CARICOM countries by several EU member states during its presidency of the EU.
He, however, noted that CARICOM must still continue to address the issue, and stated that the region is looking forward to discussions later this month in Germany.
La Roque, meanwhile, said that cooperation with the US, the UK, Canada, Spain, Germany and Italy, among others, continue to make valuable contributions to the well-being of Caribbean citizens, but also noted the “great challenges” facing the hemisphere.
“The ongoing political situation in Venezuela is worrisome and requires an urgent and concerted response from all actors,” LaRoque said.
“CARICOM, as small states, must therefore rely more than ever on focused and coordinated diplomacy, bolster its relations with like-minded states and continue to advocate for multilateralism,” the Secretary-General further stated.
Incoming Chairman, David, with reference to the recent period in which there were escalated regional, political and social tensions and adverse security concerns, stated, “Grenada assumes the mantle and will work assiduously to ensure that gains are cemented, that the fundamental principles of the Community are espoused in all undertakings, and that we coordinate all policy efforts to the benefit of all Community Member States and to ensure that the Region remains a Zone of Peace through meaningful dialogue.”
