(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) CARICOM Deputy Secretary-General Her Excellency Ambassador Lolita Applewhaite urged regional stakeholders to “take responsible, mature decisions in the best interest of the Caribbean Region.”

Ambassador Applewhaite was speaking at the opening of the meeting of Caribbean Forum (CARIFORUM) of African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) States on the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Programming which is being held in Haiti on 15 October 2007. This is the first of a series of meetings taking place in Port-au-Prince this week culminating with the 15th Meeting of CARIFORUM Ministers on 18-19 October.

CARIFORUM consists of the 14 Independent Member States of CARICOM and the Dominican Republic who are signatories to the ACP-European Union (EU) Cotonou Agreement which governs trade and aid relations between the two groupings. Cuba is also a member of CARIFORUM but is not a signatory to the Cotonou Agreement.

Monday’s meeting brought together representatives of the public sector of the Member States and regional civil society organisations to discuss priorities for the use of €165 million euros dedicated to the Caribbean under the 10th EDF.

The Deputy Secretary-General said: “Given today’s world of interdependence and regionalism, we have a framework within which to view the work upon which we are about to embark. We must bear in mind that in setting out our priorities, the regional good is paramount even though the direct benefit may be gained at the national level.”

Pointing out that the resources for the European Union were not inexhaustible, Ambassador Applewhaite said it was incumbent upon the Region to draw upon its creativity and productivity to ensure that those resources which were available were put to optimal use.

The meeting’s Chairman, His Excellency Ambassador Clarence Henry of Antigua and Barbuda, and Mr. Price Pady, the National Authorising Officer of Haiti for the EDF Programming also gave brief remarks at the opening.

The round of meetings continues on Tuesday with the meeting of officials prior to the Ministerial sessions.

Contact: piu@caricom.org