Gov’t to Pursue Policies in Promotion of Nation’s Interests Abroad

Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Professor Kenneth Hall, has said that the Government would continue to pursue sound policies in the management of Jamaica’s international relations and promotion of the country’s interests overseas, including the protection of its nationals.
Professor Hall, who was delivering the Throne Speech to signal the beginning of the 2007/08 legislative year today (March 29) at Gordon House, said that the policies would be guided by the core principles of a multilateral approach to international, political and economic dialogues; regional and hemispheric cooperation; the sovereign equality of states based on commitment and adherence to the United Nation’s Charter; respect of human rights; democracy and the rule of law; and the territorial integrity of the state.
Pointing to other initiatives, the Governor-General said that the government would continue to be active in international trade negotiations including the World Trade Organization Doha Development Round and the African Caribbean Pacific/European Union Economic Partnership Agreements.
He also informed that the matter of securing long term supplies of fuel at stable prices would remain a priority on the government’s foreign policy agenda given the cost and importance of this item to the nation.
Turning to the Jamaican Diaspora, the Governor-General noted that increased emphasis would be placed in this area. “The welfare of the Jamaican Diaspora remains of paramount importance. In a matter of months, the government will be involved in the preparatory stage of the third Diaspora conference scheduled for Kingston next year,” said the Governor-General.
“Huge challenges remain for us as a people in this the 45th anniversary of our political independence and the 200th of the Emancipation of the Atlantic Slave Trade, but we have the capacity as a people to measure up,” he stated.