Belize hands over leadership of SICA
The six months may have seemed like six minutes, but after a half year in the limelight, it was time for Belize to step down from the post of regional leadership. News 5’s Patrick Jones reports on the passing of the Central American baton.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
The leaders gathered in Belize City for the twenty-third meeting of the Central American Integration System, better known by its Spanish acronym, SICA. Outgoing chairman, Belize’s Prime Minister Said Musa, presided over the admission of the group’s newest associate member, the Dominican Republic and said this addition will bring greater benefits to the region.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“We are confident that the participation of the Dominican Republic will bring a fresh perspective and greater impetus to our integration process.”
Speaking as SICA’s newest member, Dominican Republic President Hipolito Mejia says this has been his country’s goal for quite some time.
Hipolito Mejia, President, Dominican Republic
“My government always had the political will to embark this happy occasion in which our country becomes an associate member of this important regional organisation. We had earlier subscribed to a free trade treaty with Central America that enables the exchange of good and services for investment, and since the execution of this treaty, there has been an increase in exports from various Central American countries to the Dominica Republic.” (Translated from Spanish)
When the leaders sat down to their plenary session a wide range of issues were on the agenda, including the proliferation of gangs in the region and the costs and benefits of integration and trade. Prime Minister Musa at the opening said the leaders are being reasonable and realistic in their goals.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“We are not asking for much, just rules of the game that are more balanced and fair: the phasing out and eventual elimination of trade distorting subsidies, maintenance of preferential market access for an appropriate period, technical assistance for capacity building, for negotiations and adjustments, and special and deferential treatment for small economies.”
Belize’s Ambassador to Central America, Moises Cal, says during its six months of presidency, Belize gained a lot both diplomatically and politically.
Moises Cal, Belize’s Ambassador to Central America
“It has given us an opportunity to portray Belize as an equal partner in Central American affairs. And it has also given us the opportunity to highlight what are some of our priorities, what are some of our concerns, and for Belize to be appreciated and recognized as an equal partner just like any other country in the region.”
Four hours after the meeting convened, the leaders emerged with a fourteen pointcommuniqué in which they reported progress on all the issues listed on the agenda. And then Prime Minister Musa symbolically handed over SICA’s presidency to Guatemala.
Prime Minister Said Musa
“It is now my pleasant duty to formally transfer the presidency of SICA to our neighbour and friend, the Government of the Republic of Guatemala. I speak on behalf of all my colleagues when I say that we have every confidence that under the presidency of Guatemala the regional integration process will continue to strengthen and progress towards our fundamental objectives.”
Patrick Jones, for News 5.
During the meeting, the SICA leaders appointed Prime Minister Musa as moderator of one of three working sessions to be held in Monterrey, Mexico next month. At that meeting the nations of the hemisphere will try to advance the goals of poverty reduction, economic growth, and social development. The P.M. had previously received the blessing of CARICOM.
