Press release 67/2003
(6 May 2003)

Mr. Secretary-General,
My colleague, the British High Commissioner, representing the Presidency of the EU in Guyana
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Members of the media,
Special invitees,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the European Commissioner for Development, Mr. Poul Nielson, I wish to express the Commission’s satisfaction on this occasion of the signing of the Regional Strategy Paper and Regional Indicative Programme.

This ceremony represents formal recognition on the part of the European Commission and CARIFORUM of the successful conclusion of the programming of the 9^th EDF Caribbean – EC regional co-operation. Let me say that a core grant of 57 million euro has been earmarked for the coming five years in support of this strategy, while it is expected that other instruments will further contribute to financing other activities in the field of agriculture, environment, IT, health and trade.

The Regional Strategy Paper and Regional Indicative Programme translates into tangible action, the co-operation objectives and commitments that both parties entered into in the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement. An important co-operation objective, mutually shared by both partners, is the intensification of regional integration and the eventual sustainable integration of the Caribbean region into the world economy.

The 9^th EDF regional co-operation programme encompasses CARIFORUM’s own Regional Integration and Development Strategy, which aims to improve the quality of life of the Caribbean people, by pursuing strategies related to economic, human and social development through regional integration. As a consequence, the 9^th Regional Indicative Programme proposes:

• the expansion of the Caribbean market through the identification of new economic opportunities and strengthening of the position of the Caribbean in the international context,
• the deepening of the integration process through the completion of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy, targeting a harmonised economic space in order to promote economic efficiencies, the reinforcement of international trade and the attraction of investment,
• and the economic repositioning process that constitutes the platform from which the integration of the Caribbean into the global trading regime will be pursued.

The decision of the region, as expressed in your Regional Integration and Development Strategy, to utilise a knowledge-driven model of economic development is, without doubt, most appropriate for the Caribbean to allow you to exploit your advantages of knowledgeable human resources, location and natural endowment, even though the small size of the region is perceived to be a disadvantage by some persons.

The Commission is acutely aware and sensitive to the fact that several external vulnerabilities adversely impact on the efforts by Caribbean Governments to achieve economic development and reduce poverty.  The scourge of illegal drugs poses a serious threat to regional security and governance, and can cause devastating consequences in economic activities, property, and human welfare. Natural disasters, which can result in devastating economic hardships, are covered in the strategy, particularly since these normally impact disproportionately on the poor. The Regional Strategy Paper therefore represents a renewed effort in the joint endeavours of the Caribbean and the EU in the fight against poverty.

The Regional Strategy Paper underscores the solidarity that is demonstrated by the region in regard to Haiti to facilitate its integration into the regional process, the strengthening of its governance and a meaningful cooperation in trade, social, economic and cultural areas with the neighbouring Dominican Republic.

The 9^th EDF Regional Strategy that was signed here this morning clearly reflects the objectives in the COTONOU AGREEMENT to foster the integration of the ACPs into the world economy, in particular the reinforcement of the processes of regional integration, the enhancement of production, supply and trade capacity, and the development of a new environment to attract investment.

Finally, allow me to urge that constructive dialogue, pragmatism and effectiveness in the implementation of the programme, become now the reference marks to achieve if the agreed objectives are to be attained and enhanced resource allocations secured … quoting Commissioner Nielson in the Cariforum-EC meeting of October 2001 also held in St. Lucia: ... the show is now on …