Patterson
PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson said CARICOM should endeavour to have its position on matters of particular interest to the region, including special and differential treatment for developing countries, articulated in the Declaration and Plan of Action emanating from the Fourth Summit of the Americas in Mar del Plata, Argentina.
Speaking last Friday at a CARICOM Caucus held prior to the official opening of the Summit, Mr. Patterson said member States were not in Argentina to be 'bystanders' and that with CARICOM nations comprising 14 of the 34 participants, the region should seek to have its position on key issues fully represented.
FOURTH SUMMIT
The Fourth Summit of the Americas is being held under the theme 'Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthening Democratic Governance'.
The Prime Minister noted that the Free Trade Area of the Americas was the centrepiece of the Summit process that began in 1994 and was expected to include both the economic integration and social development of the hemisphere. He said this has so far not materialised and pointed to the need for a commitment on resources and material support to overcome problems affecting the region.
NUMBER OF CONCERNS
The Caucus examined a number of concerns the region felt were not adequately reflected in the draft Declaration and Plan of Action and discussed the approach to highlighting those issues. Among the concerns raised were the future of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, the impact of natural disasters and vulnerability to external shocks, drugs and the illicit trading of arms as well as the WTO and the development agenda ordered for the Doha Development Round.
The meeting supported a proposal for the issuing of a special CARICOM statement outlining the region's position on matters of particular interest to the Caribbean.
