(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Permit me to take this opportunity to welcome you most heartily to the Republic of Suriname. I also wish to extend a special welcome to the Ministers and delegations of Third Party States, invited to address our gathering.

According to Article 16 of the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, COFCOR is the Ministerial Council responsible for inter alia, determining relations between the Caribbean Community and International Organizations and Third States.

COFCOR should also, through consultation; coordination and collaboration determine as far as possible and practicable the Community’s policy regarding Foreign Relations’ issues for and on behalf of the Community.

It is furthermore of utmost importance that COFCOR also fully implements its mandated collaboration with the Council for Trade and Development (COTED), in order to promote and develop coordinated policies in a holistic manner for the enhancement of external economic and trade relations of the Community. With this in mind we need to assess the consequences for our Community of the constantly changing international environment and determine our international agenda and the modalities for a more effective coordination of our foreign policy, aimed at furthering the economic and sustainable development of our Region and Member States.

Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,

Foreign Policy coordination also requires that we as ministers and as Member States, participate more pro-actively, in multilateral organizations and where necessary to bring about a reorientation of our focus.

Although the need for policy coordination is imperative, we should also emphasize the Treaty’s principle in recognizing that each Member State has the sovereign right to determine its own foreign policy.

Before I conclude, I want to take this opportunity to thank my Colleague Minister from St. Kitts and Nevis, The Honorable Sam Terrence Condor for his stewardship the last six (6) months.

I am sure that with my colleagues in the Bureau of COFCOR, the Foreign Ministers of St. Kitts and Nevis and Trinidad and Tobago, with the assistance and support of the Secretary-General, the CARICOM Secretariat, we will be able to ensure that the interest of the Community shall be safeguarded while bringing around some necessary changes in our conduct with the outside world, for the benefit of our Peoples.

Finally I invite you to enjoy the beauty of my country and the hospitality of its people.

May the Almighty bless you.
Thank You.

CONTACT: piu@caricom.org
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