The Eleventh Meeting of the Council for Foreign and
Community Relations (COFCOR) of the Caribbean
Community was held in Bolans Village, Antigua and
Barbuda, 7-9 May 2008, under the Chairmanship of the
Hon. Baldwin Spencer, Prime Minister and Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Antigua and Barbuda. The
Ministers attending were, the Hon. T. Brent
Symonette, M.P, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister
of Foreign Affairs of The Bahamas; the Hon. Donville
Inniss, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Foreign Trade and International
Business, Barbados; the Hon. Wilfred Elrington,
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade,
Belize; the Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister
and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Dominica; the
Hon. Carolyn Rodrigues, MP, Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Guyana; Senator Dr. the Hon. Ronald
Robinson, Minister of State, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Foreign Trade of Jamaica; Her Excellency
Lygia L.L. Kraag-Keteldijk, Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Suriname; and the Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon,
M.P., Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trinidad and
Tobago.
His Excellency Harold Joseph, Ambassador of Haiti
to the Bahamas represented Haiti, Her Excellency
Rosalyn Hazelle represented St. Kitts and Nevis, His
Excellency Anthony Severin, Permanent Secretary,
Ministry of External Affairs represented Saint
Lucia, His Excellency Ellsworth John, Director,
Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit in the Office
of the Prime Minister represented St. Vincent and
the Grenadines, and Mr. Jimmy Emmanuel, Project
Coordinator, represented the Organisation of Eastern
Caribbean States (OECS). As part of their two-day
deliberations, the Ministers received H.E. Albert
Ramdin, Assistant Secretary-General of the
Organisation of American States (OAS) and welcomed
the updates provided on preparations for the
upcoming Thirty-Eighth OAS General Assembly to be
held in Medellin, Colombia in June 2008 and the
Fifth Summit of the Americas to be hosted by
Trinidad and Tobago in April 2009.
Ministers also received His Excellency Eduardo
Enrique Reina, Deputy Foreign Minister of Honduras
who reiterated the invitation from his Government
for high-level representation by CARICOM Member
States at the Summit on Climate Change and the
Environment scheduled for 26-28 May 2008 in
Honduras. This will be preceded by the Meetings of
Officials on 26 May and Ministers on 27 May.
Opening Ceremony
H.E Edwin Carrington, Secretary-General of the
Caribbean Community, in remarks at the Opening
Ceremony lauded the success of the Community in the
pursuit of the coordination of Foreign Policy, which
he noted has been one of the greatest strengths of
the Caribbean Community and has been a widespread
source of admiration by many. The Secretary-General
alluded to the challenges of a rapidly changing
international and hemispheric environment and the
need for the Community to urgently respond to the
redistribution of power and influence on the global
stage.
The Secretary-General highlighted the changed
priorities of many of the Community’s traditional
partners, citing the shifting emphasis towards
security in the case of the United States and the
move from a preferential to a reciprocal trading
relationship in the case of the United Kingdom, as
part of the European Union-CARIFORUM Economic
Partnership Agreement. With reference to Canada, the
Secretary-General highlighted the Community’s
historical ties with that country and the recent
decision of the Canadian Government to significantly
enhance its support to the Region through some
Cdn$600M in technical assistance over the next
decade with a much stronger emphasis on the
integration process.
The outgoing Chairman of the COFCOR, the Hon.
Wilfred Elrington, Minister of Foreign Affairs and
Foreign Trade of Belize, underscored the increasing
need for the strengthening of the Region’s
integration movement in the context of the nature,
speed and scope of the global changes and challenges
with which CARICOM countries are faced. The Minister
further stressed the urgency of closer global
collaboration and cooperation, highlighting Climate
Change as an issue which demands that type of
response. Recalling the agreement of the COFCOR at
its Tenth Meeting in 2007 that Climate Change should
remain permanently on the COFCOR Agenda, Minister
Elrington lauded the efforts of the Caribbean
Community Climate Change Center (CCCCC) which has
been very active in conducting research and analysis
and in disseminating vital information to countries
to help efforts to mitigate the damage being caused
by climate change.
Chairman of COFCOR, the Hon. Baldwin Spencer,
Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of
Antigua and Barbuda, emphasised the influence which
CARICOM countries, even as small states, can have
when united to allow the Region’s voice to be heard
on the international stage. This he noted, is
particularly critical in the face of problems which
dominate current day headlines, throughout the
world, such as rising oil prices, rising food
prices, increasing, poverty and environmental
degradation.
The Prime Minister applauded CARICOM’s successful
efforts in engaging all the major world powers
through a range of mechanisms, citing a number of
encounters with countries from different regions and
he underscored the fact that there have been a
number of CARICOM foreign policy successes. As he
assumed the Chairmanship of COFCOR, Prime Minister
Spencer pledged his commitment to encouraging a more
active engagement of COFCOR on world events and a
more proactive stance on matters affecting the
interests of CARICOM.
The Protection of CARICOM’s Strategic
Interests In the Changing International and
Hemispheric Context
Ministers examined the geopolitical and economic
changes taking place at both the hemispheric and
international levels and the resulting challenges.
They considered these changes particularly in the
context of the redistribution of power on the global
stage; the shifting priorities of traditional
partners; the increasing presence of non-traditional
actors in the Caribbean region; and geo-political
changes in neighbouring regions and states. They
also considered non-geopolitical issues having an
impact on the Community including climate change,
rising food and fuel costs and crime and security.
In this context, Ministers considered policy
responses to these changes and challenges as well as
new initiatives which have emerged and which could
assist countries of the Region in meeting these
challenges, among them the Bolivarian Alternative
for the Peoples of our America (ALBA).
Ministers agreed that Member States should
continue to pursue and explore all opportunities
available to them for their social and economic
development, recognising at all times their
obligations under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
Ministers noted that rising commodity prices
(food and fuel) is one of the non-geopolitical
challenges to which the Community needs to pay
attention. In this regard, Ministers encouraged
Member States to explore measures to enhance
regional food production possibilities.
Ministers expressed particular concern regarding
the impact of high fuel costs on aviation services
and consequently the tourism sector which is of
critical importance to so many of the economies of
CARICOM Member States.
The COFCOR emphasised the importance of
coordination of the Region’s Foreign Policy, given
the small size and vulnerability of CARICOM Member
States and the constantly changing nature of the
international system.
The COFCOR agreed to measures aimed at enhancing
coordination by, inter alia, ensuring that
decision-making procedures were fully responsive to
developments on the international scene and
increasing the effectiveness of the Bureau of the
Council.
Climate Change
Cognizant of the grave impact which Climate
Change can have on the socio-economic well-being of
the peoples of the Region, the Ministers noted the
decisions taken at the Twenty-Fifth Special Meeting
of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED),
held in April 2008, to examine issues related to the
determination of a Common Environmental Policy. The
COFCOR further agreed that CARICOM must be
effectively represented at forthcoming meetings
related to the Bali Roadmap as well as on the
Adaptation Fund Board, and that the issue of Climate
Change should be included on the agendas of all
encounters with Third Countries.
The Ministers agreed on the need to enhance the
level of awareness and understanding across the
Region and committed to promoting the policy of the
Community on issues related to Climate Change.
Graduation of Middle Income Countries
The COFCOR noted with concern the indications
from Belize that the United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF) had made this year an initial cut to its
country programme funding and the risk of further
drastic cuts being made. The Ministers noted that
the formula used by UNICEF and other UN bodies for
assigning programme funds did not appear to reflect
the real and changing needs of middle income
beneficiary countries and stressed the deleterious
effects of a reduction in programme funds, done
solely on the basis of a formula approach, on a
country’s development efforts.
The Ministers agreed to support the call by the
Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC) for a
review of the present formula and for a minimum
funding level to be reinforced. They further agreed
to address these concerns, particularly with the
United Kingdom (UK) and Spain, current Members of
the UNICEF Board, as well as the wider issue of
graduation during the Community’s interface with
Third States.
Caribbean Sea Initiative
The COFCOR underlined the importance that the
Caribbean Community attaches to the Caribbean Sea
Initiative aimed at having the Caribbean Sea
recognised internationally as a Special Area in the
context of sustainable development.
The COFCOR further urged all countries and
relevant regional and international organisations to
provide information to the United Nations
Secretary-General on activities aimed at
implementing United Nations General Assembly
resolution 61/197 regarding the Caribbean Sea
Initiative.
Haiti
Ministers welcomed the financial support provided
by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
through the Haiti/CSME Project to assist the speedy
and accelerated integration of Haiti in the
Caribbean Community which will be facilitated by the
operations of the CARICOM Representation Office in
Haiti (CROH).
The representative of Haiti expressed
appreciation to CARICOM for the provision to Haiti
of assistance and resources from the petroleum fund
in the amount of US$7 million in response to its
food crisis.
CARICOM-Canada
Ministers welcomed the new impetus being given to
promoting greater interaction between CARICOM and
Canada. Ministers drew particular attention to the
preparedness of CARICOM to commence negotiations
with Canada on a Trade and Development Agreement.
This development augured well for the convening of
the Canada-CARICOM Summit, which is tentatively
scheduled for Fall 2008.
Ministers also noted that the Summit will provide
Heads with the opportunity to advance discussions in
other areas of critical importance to the
CARICOM-Canada relationship, including the
institutionalisation of a mechanism for political
dialogue, crime and security issues and matters
relating to climate change.
New York Conference on the Caribbean, 19-20
June 2008
The Ministers recalled that the CARICOM Heads of
Government had accepted an invitation from
Congressman Charles Rangel to visit New York on the
occasion of Caribbean American Heritage Month in
June 2008.
Ministers agreed to the Programme for the visit
and looked forward to this event which would provide
the opportunity to discuss trade and investment
issues and to continue building relations with the
Caribbean Diaspora.
Rio Group
Ministers highlighted the importance of the Rio
Group and its role in promoting greater outreach
within the hemisphere and providing the Region with
access to South-South Cooperation. Belize, Guyana
and Haiti are at present full members of the group.
In this context, Ministers welcomed the offer by
Jamaica to represent those CARICOM Member States
which are not currently members of the Rio Group.
Ministers expressed their appreciation to Guyana
for representing the interests of the Community
during the past ten years.
Relations with the European Union
The COFCOR noted the significant change in
relations between Europe and the Caribbean that will
be ushered in with the signing, in June 2008, of the
Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between
CARIFORUM countries and the European Union (EU).
The COFCOR emphasised that the full
implementation of the EPA was critical to the
achievement of its objectives.
The COFCOR also underlined the importance it
attached to deepened political dialogue between
CARICOM and the EU in the context of the
implementation of the Cotonou Agreement and the EPA.
United Nations
Ministers considered issues of importance to
CARICOM in the UN System, namely, Climate Change,
System-Wide Coherence, Security Council Reform, and
the Follow-up International Conference on Financing
for Development to review the Implementation of the
Monterrey Consensus, that will be held in Doha in
November 2008.
The Ministers reiterated that the issue of HIV
and AIDS remains a priority for the Region, and
signalled the importance of multilateral support for
national and regional strategies to combat the
disease. In this regard, Ministers viewed the
upcoming High-Level Comprehensive Review of the
Progress Achieved in realising the Declaration of
Commitment on HIV/AIDS and the Political Declaration
on HIV/AIDS that will be held at the United Nations
from 10 – 11 June, 2008, as an important opportunity
to invite donors and partners to assist the Region
in this area. Representation at the highest level
was urged.
The Ministers expressed the Community’s concern
at the decision to close the United Office on Drugs
and Crime based in Barbados. The COFCOR reiterated
the call made by CARICOM at the UN for the decision
to be reversed, noting that the Office provided
vital technical assistance to the Region in the
areas of crime prevention, criminal justice and in
tackling the international drugs trade.
Ministers encouraged strong participation of
CARICOM Members States in the Third Biennial Meeting
of States to consider the Implementation of the
Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat, Eradicate
the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in
All its Aspects, to be held in New York from 14 - 18
July 2008. The Ministers encouraged representation
at the highest level.
The COFCOR urged CARICOM Member States who were
not members of the International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) to consider joining the agency, as the
IAEA offers technical assistance to Member States in
the form of transfer of technology through the
provision of experts, equipment and training and in
exceptional circumstances, small cash grants for
specific purposes.
The COFCOR requested Member States that have not
signed the 1994 Agreement Relating to the
Implementation of Part XI of the 1982 Convention on
Law of the Sea, to do so in order to achieve the
goal of universal participation in the two
instruments. Ministers urged all CARICOM Member
States to participate in the Fourteenth Annual
Meeting of the International Seabed Authority, which
will be held in Kingston, Jamaica over the period 26
May – 6 June, 2008.
Summits to be hosted in the Region in 2009
The Ministers welcomed the update from Trinidad
and Tobago on the Fifth Summit of the Americas and
the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting to be
hosted by that Government in Trinidad and Tobago.
The Ministers noted that these events represent an
opportunity to ensure that the interests that
CARICOM States and the particularities of the
Caribbean developmental experience are appropriately
articulated and reflected in each of these fora.
The Ministers further reiterated their support
for Trinidad and Tobago in hosting successful,
people-centred events, and their commitment to
ensuring fruitful discussions in each of these fora
with a view to arriving at tangible results and
measurable goals which will have a meaningful impact
on the lives of Caribbean peoples, while also
addressing the broader concerns of the wider
Commonwealth and the hemisphere.
Belize-Guatemala
Ministers were informed that the Governments of
Belize and Guatemala, along with the active
participation of the Government of Honduras, met
over a period of 18 months under the auspices of the
OAS in an effort to identify a possible delimitation
of the maritime spaces in the Gulf of Honduras as
part of a definitive solution to the
Belize-Guatemala territorial differendum. After
several meetings, it became clear that no progress
was being made and that an agreement could not be
reached. This led to the Secretary-General of the
OAS, in accordance with the Agreement on a Framework
for Negotiations of 2005, to recommend to both
parties that they should seek to resolve the dispute
by juridical means through the International Court
of Justice (ICJ). Both Belize and Guatemala have
agreed to the recommendation of Secretary General
Insulza to take the dispute to the ICJ and initial
steps are now being taken towards that end.
The Confidence Building Measures between Belize
and Guatemala with the assistance of the OAS still
continue. The COFCOR was pleased to learn that the
illegal settlers at Santa Rosa have been removed
from Belize and resettled in a humane way in their
own country, Guatemala. This relocation project was
made possible through the generous contributions of
the Governments of Mexico, the United States of
America, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Spain.
The Ministers reiterated their full support for
the maintenance of the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Belize.
Guyana-Venezuela
The Ministers took note of the efforts made by
Guyana and Venezuela towards the maintenance of good
relations between the two countries.
They expressed the hope that the Good Offices
Process of the United Nations Secretary-General
within the ambit of the Geneva Agreement, to which
both countries remain committed, would be soon
resuscitated with a view to finding a peaceful
settlement to the border controversy.
The Ministers reiterated their full support for
the maintenance of the sovereignty and territorial
integrity of Guyana.
The AU Diaspora Summit
The COFCOR underlined the importance the
Caribbean Community attaches to the relationship
between the Region and Africa.
In this regard, it welcomed the opportunity to
deepen relations through participation in the
upcoming Diaspora Conference led by the African
Union and scheduled to take place in Johannesburg,
South Africa in November, 2008.
The 2009 Caribbean Games
The Ministers welcomed the information provided
by Trinidad and Tobago on the first ever Caribbean
Games, which will take place from 13 – 19 July 2008
in six venues in Trinidad and Tobago and will
involve the participation of 26 Caribbean countries.
The Ministers noted that the Games will provide a
platform to showcase elite Caribbean athletes as a
means of motivating young sports persons to aspire
to international achievements and to expose
Caribbean audiences to the best Caribbean athletes.
Statement on Zimbabwe
Ministers reviewed recent developments in
Zimbabwe, and issue the Statement which is at
Attachment I to this Communiqué.
Statement on Myanmar
Ministers reviewed recent developments in
Myanmar, and issue the Statement which is at
Attachment II to this Communiqué.
Appreciation
The Ministers expressed their deep appreciation
to the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda
for the warm reception afforded them and for the
excellent hospitality and courtesies extended which
greatly facilitated the fruitful deliberations of
the Eleventh Meeting of the COFCOR.
Date and Venue of Next Meeting
The Ministers accepted the offer of the
Government of Jamaica to host the Twelfth Meeting of
the COFCOR in that country at a date to be
determined in May 2009.
Bolans Village
Antigua and Barbuda
9 May 2008
__________________________________________________________
ATTACHMENT I
STATEMENT ON
ZIMBABWE
The Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR)
of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) at its Eleventh
Meeting held in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda,
expressed grave concern that the results of
Zimbabwe’s national elections were made public only
after weeks of delay thereby raising serious doubts
over the integrity of the process. There continues
to be great uncertainty about the electoral process
which has not only been tainted by inordinate delays
and grave irregularities underlined by observers,
but which is now further marred by reports of
threats, intimidation, and violence against
opponents.
Member States of the Caribbean Community were at
the forefront of the international campaign against
apartheid and continuing colonialism in Southern
Africa in the latter half of the twentieth century.
They therefore feel compelled to call on Zimbabwe’s
authorities, with the assistance of that country’s
close neighbours in the Southern African Development
Community (SADC), to do all in their power to ensure
that Zimbabwe’s electoral procedures as well as the
civil and political rights of Zimbabwe’s citizens
are fully respected in order to make certain that
the will of all Zimbabweans is reflected in the
final outcome of this electoral process. A fair
resolution to the electoral impasse will pave the
way for political equity and socio-economic
development in the country.
__________________________________________________________
ATTACHMENT II
STATEMENT ON
MYANMAR
Fully aware of its own vulnerability to natural
catastrophes, and having repeatedly experienced the
devastating effects of hurricanes, Ministers
expressed their sympathy and solidarity with the
people of Myanmar following last week’s disastrous
cyclone which, by some accounts, is estimated to
have taken 100,000 lives and rendered 1,500,000
homeless and destitute. The risk of starvation and
disease among the affected population is great. The
Caribbean Community is aware of the response being
made by the international community to provide
relief assistance to the affected communities.
Against this background, the Caribbean Community
is concerned that despite the mobilisation of aid
and relief supplies by the international community,
entry restrictions have been placed by the Myanmar
Authorities on relief supplies and personnel. The
COFCOR calls on the Government of Myanmar to grant
urgently greater access to international relief
supplies and personnel in order to avert further
exacerbation of this humanitarian crisis.
CONTACT:
piu@caricom.org
