Foreign Minister Reaffirms Country’s Commitment to Regional Integration

Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator the Hon. A. J. Nicholson, is reaffirming Jamaica’s commitment to regional integration, emphasizing that the country is unequivocal in its support for the renewal of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

“There is no turning back. Regional integration must be seen as an ongoing process, not a single event,” he argued, while addressing members of the Diplomatic Corps, and other stakeholders at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston, on February 4, as part of Diplomatic Week 2014.

The Minister pointed out that Jamaica has been working actively with other CARICOM member states to identify priority areas and initiatives for enhancing the effectiveness of the Secretariat, and Community.

He informed that Jamaica has also increased bilateral arrangements with CARICOM states, for example, having initiated consultations with Trinidad and Tobago at the ministerial level.

“We agreed to several areas of cooperation for follow-up and collaboration. Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago will hold further consultations in Port of Spain on these and other matters in the first quarter of this year,” he said.

The Minister noted, also, that the recently concluded Second Summit of the Heads of Government of the Caribbean and Latin America (CELAC), held in Havana, Cuba, adopted a proclamation, under which the 33 member states agreed to make the region a zone of peace.

He commended the government of Cuba for hosting the forum, and its stewardship of CELAC over the years.

Meanwhile, the Minister noted that the Association of Caribbean States continues to be highly relevant and Jamaica looks forward to that Summit to be held shortly, in Mexico.

Senator Nicholson said Jamaica supports strengthening of the multilateral process, in creating of a more enabling environment, to protect regional security, and enhance opportunities for sustained economic and social growth.

He noted that Jamaica remains active within the Organization of American States (OAS), particularly on human rights, justice, security matters, the promotion of integrated development, and the peaceful settlement of disputes through respect for international law.

The Minister reminded that Jamaica will be putting forward Judge, Patrick Robinson, as a candidate for election to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in November. “CARICOM has not served on the ICJ for some time, and the support of your countries for this candidature will be highly appreciated,” he said.

Diplomatic Week, coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, is being observed from February 2 to February 7, under the theme: ‘Partnership for Growth’.