P.M. to lead delegation to summit in Spain

Later this week, a Belizean delegation will join representatives of Latin American and Caribbean countries in Spain for a series of meetings with that country and the European Union. On Thursday, Prime Minister Said Musa, Minister of Foreign Affairs Assad Shoman and their counterparts from the Caribbean Community, will discuss opportunities for ventures with Spanish companies looking to invest in the region. Belize will also negotiate with the Spanish government for previously approved development projects such as roads, bridges and schools. On Friday, CARICOM and Latin American heads of government will sit across the table from European Union leaders, primarily to petition for a boost in developmental and trade assistance. According to Prime Minister Musa, Belize will be arguing against the phasing out of preferential markets for our bananas, citrus and sugar exports, and will also be looking to expand exports of non-traditional crops like fish and papayas. One issue sure to come up is the Guatemalan claim to Belize. Musa says Belize will make sure all the countries realise that the facilitation process is a serious attempt to settle the claim and both Belize and Guatemala will urge E.U. members to strongly support both the process and the accompanying joint development fund.