Press release 85/2007
(18 April 2007)

Ambassador Jean-Paul Dumont, Plenipotentiary Representative (Designate) of the Republic of France to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)
Deputy Secretary-General, Ambassador Lolita Applewhaite
Assistant Secretaries-General
Other Members of Staff of the CARICOM Secretariat
Representatives of the Media

Excellency, in November of 2005, I was pleased to receive, on behalf of the Caribbean Community, the credentials of your predecessor, His Excellency Ambassador Boursin, as the French Republic’s first Ambassador accredited to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

To build on the solid foundation established by your predecessor, your country has chosen you – a seasoned diplomat with many years of sterling service to the Government of the Republic of France in varied corners of the world – as its new Ambassador to CARICOM. I firmly believe that your selection as Ambassador to CARICOM augurs well for the continuation of the amicable relations between CARICOM and France.

Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen, CARICOM-France relations have long been mutually considered to be of great importance as evidenced by the 2000 CARICOM-France Summit held in Guadeloupe.

As part of the strengthening of that relationship, we are currently preparing a draft CARICOM-France Cooperation Framework Agreement, soon to be dispatched for the consideration of the French Government. This Agreement will provide a framework within which CARICOM-France cooperation can be conducted more effectively and efficiently to the mutual benefit of the Parties. It is an indeed exciting development. Without unveiling the details prematurely, I can say that it provides a mechanism to address a wide range of areas and issues which CARICOM and France have over the years, identified as being in their common interest.

A particularly timely and concrete example of our existing cooperation, is the assistance being rendered by France to the Community, in the context of the Region’s current hosting of the Cricket World Cup 2007. Cricket is not a well known sport in France, although I gather that the “googly” – a special and deceptive method of bowling - had its origins in your country. Notwithstanding the unfamiliarity of France with this sport, the French Government readily acceded to CARICOM’s request for access to its medical emergency facilities in support of the Region’s widespread efforts to ensure a safe and secure Cricket World Cup 2007. On behalf of the Caribbean Community, Excellency, I wish to convey to the Government and People of France, our sincere thanks and appreciation for the provision of assistance in this very critical area.

Ladies and Gentlemen, CARICOM’s relations with France are conducted, not only directly but also within the context of Europe, specifically in the context of the EU- CARIFORUM-ACP partnership envisioned in the Cotonou Agreement. As negotiations continue for an Economic Partnership Agreement between Europe and CARIFORUM countries, the Europe/France/CARICOM relationship finds itself poised to begin a new phase - one which can only be enhanced by a stronger direct CARICOM-France relationship.

Additional opportunities for enhancing the CARICOM-France relationship, present themselves in the context of the European Union-Latin American and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) forum and in the Association of Caribbean States (ACS).

Excellency, it is impossible to speak of CARICOM’s relationship with France without making special mention of CARICOM’s enduring interest in the Overseas Departments of France in the Americas (DFAs) – French Guiana, Guadeloupe and Martinique. They are essential parts of the Caribbean.

In December, I had the pleasure of visiting Guadeloupe and holding discussions with the President of its Regional Council - Mr. Victorin Lurel – on a wide-range of issues aimed at enhancing CARICOM-Guadeloupe relations.

Key amongst our priority areas of discussion was the impact of the EPAs on our trading relationship. Other issues, such issues as transport and the closer involvement of the DFAs in the Community’s functional cooperation projects, also figured in those discussions. It is in that latter context that we can best serve our people who, notwithstanding existing constraints, continue to move, interact and live the Caribbean unity that we strive to advance.

In that spirit, for example, Dominicans and Saint Lucians regularly visit and mingle freely in Guadeloupe and Martinique and vice versa. On the South American mainland, the Guyanese, Surinamese and ‘French Guyanese’ criss-cross each other’s borders. The DFAs also participate fully in the Caribbean Festival of the Arts (CARIFESTA) bringing their unique culture into the Caribbean mix. These are examples of the enduring nature of the relationship between the Member States of the Community and the DFAs.

Our challenge is to make such co-mingling more affordable and less encumbered and to ensure that the Caribbean can benefit whether it be through tourism, trade, culture or simply through the joy of community.

These features, Excellency, ladies and gentlemen, embody our aspirations, our challenges and our commitments. We therefore welcome you, Ambassador Dumont, to this collective and rewarding enterprise - that is the strengthening of Caribbean integration. To this end, we look forward to working closely with you in strengthening and deepening relations with France – a friend of long standing.

I therefore take pleasure, Excellency, in warmly welcoming you to the Caribbean Community and in receiving your credentials as Plenipotentiary Representative of the Republic of France to Caribbean Community (CARICOM).