CARICOM, SICA sign joint plan of action
On January first, Belize assumed the six-month rotating presidency of the Central American Integration System, SICA. From the get-go Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Eamon Courtenay, maintained that his government would use the opportunity to bridge the gap between Central America and CARICOM. Today, after numerous meetings and discussions, the diplomats made a significant step towards that goal with the signing of a bi-regional plan of action. The document outlines ten areas of cooperation between the two sub-regions. Inking the deal were secretary generals Edwin Carrington of CARICOM and Anibal Quinoñez for SICA.
Eamon Courtenay, Min. Foreign Affairs/Foreign Trade
“It has been approved by our heads of government, by our Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade. It is a wide ranging plan of action that covers a number of areas including trade, foreign affairs coordination and cooperation, natural disasters management and rehabilitation. It covers areas of education, poverty alleviation, health, and other areas. We regard this as a historic opportunity for us to sign a document which provides a framework for functional cooperation. The two sub-regions committed ourselves to working ever closer together to advance the interests of our people.”
Anibal Quinoñez, Sec. General, SICA
“With the signing of this plan, Central America and the region are establishing a clear alliance, a clear bi-regional alliance with an international projection within the perspective of multilateralism that demands a new world order. With the signing of this action plan, we are stating ideas and solutions to our immediate problems that will allow us to jointly create sound basis against poverty, unemployment, and the lack of housing.”
Edwin Carrington, Sec. General, CARICOM
“Nothing that is in the document will happen, however, if you do not have a proper follow-up mechanism. And that is fundamental premise on which this document is based in that there will be an efficient and adequate follow-up mechanism. And in that regard, the SICA Secretariat on one hand and the CARICOM Secretariat on the other, places that responsibility on the Secretary General SICA and the Secretary General of CAIRCOM, yours truly.”
Late this afternoon talks began focussing on trade aspects of the plan. The meetings should conclude by midday Friday.
