{"id":3712,"date":"2019-05-14T09:32:16","date_gmt":"2019-05-14T13:32:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/drealfmgrenada.com\/?p=3712"},"modified":"2019-05-14T09:32:16","modified_gmt":"2019-05-14T13:32:16","slug":"key-regional-foreign-policy-discussions-ongoing-at-grenada-meeting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/drealfmgrenada.com\/index.php\/2019\/05\/14\/key-regional-foreign-policy-discussions-ongoing-at-grenada-meeting\/","title":{"rendered":"Key Regional Foreign Policy Discussions Ongoing At Grenada Meeting"},"content":{"rendered":"

By CARICOM TODAY<\/strong><\/p>\n

Coordinating foreign policy matters to help promote the Region\u2019s development, and ensuring that the Caribbean remains a Zone of Peace are underpinning discussions at a two-day Meeting of CARICOM Foreign Ministers which opened in St Georges, Grenada, on Monday.<\/p>\n

Grenada\u2019s Foreign Minister, the Hon. Peter David<\/a>, is chairing this Twenty-Second Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR). The Neeting is also deliberating on CARICOM relations with the European Union, particularly the Post-Cotonou negotiations between the EU and the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) Group of States, and the United Kingdom\u2019s exit from the EU.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n
Foreign Ministers at the Meeting, from left, Hon. Chet Green, Antigua and Barbuda, Amb. Felix Gregoire, Dominica; Hon. Peter David, Grenada; Hon Mark Brantley, St. Kitts and Nevis; Hon. Sarah Flood-Beaubrun, Saint Lucia; Sir Louis Straker, St. Vincent and the Grenadines; and Amb Anthony Severin representing the OECS Commission (Photo via SKNIS)<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

As Bahamas\u2019 Foreign Minister, the Hon. Darren Henfield handed over the Chairmanship of COFCOR to Grenada, he cautioned that \u201cour bonds, though tested, must always remain strong<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n

He pointed to the recent traction gained through cooperation with, among others, Romania and the United States, aimed at building resilience, including financial resilience.<\/p>\n

The financial services sector, he noted, was being \u201cseverely impacted\u201d by what he described as the \u201cunfair and unwarranted pressure\u201d from mechanisms proposed by the European Commission and other developed countries to regulate the sector.<\/p>\n

CARICOM, he said, was heartened by Romania\u2019s commitment that during its presidency of the European Union (EU), it would advocate and facilitate discussions on blacklisting of CARICOM countries by several EU member states. CARICOM must still continue to address this issue, he said, noting that the Region was looking forward to discussions later this month in Germany.<\/p>\n

Challenges<\/strong><\/p>\n

The incoming Chairman, Minister David, in acknowledging the recent very challenging period that witnessed escalating regional political and social tensions and adverse security concerns which demanded keen analyses and prudent decision-making, said:<\/p>\n

\u201cGrenada assumes the mantle and will work assiduously to ensure that gains are cemented, that the fundamental principles of the Community are espoused in all undertakings, and that we coordinate all policy efforts to the benefit of all Community Member States and to ensure that the Region remains a Zone of Peace through meaningful dialogue.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In his remarks,\u00a0CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque<\/a>\u00a0said co-operation with the US, the UK, Canada, Spain, Germany and Italy, to mention but a few, continue to make valuable contributions to the well-being of the people of the Community.<\/p>\n

He too recognized the \u201cgreat challenges\u201d facing the hemisphere.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ongoing political situation in Venezuela is worrisome and requires an urgent and concerted response from all actors,\u201d he said, adding that CARICOM is being guided by:<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2026principles of non-interference and non-intervention in the affairs of states, prohibition of the threat or use of force, respect for sovereignty, adherence to the rule of law, and respect for the constitutional framework, human rights and democracy.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Ambassador LaRocque told the Foreign Ministers that as they coordinated the Community\u2019s position going forward, they must be cognizant that the Community faced a world where major actors showed a dwindling interest in a collective approach to global problems.<\/p>\n

\u201cCARICOM, as small states, must therefore rely more than ever on focused and coordinated diplomacy, bolster its relations with like-minded states and continue to advocate for multilateralism,\u201d Secretary-General LaRocque stated.<\/p>\n

 <\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By CARICOM TODAY Coordinating foreign policy matters to help promote the Region\u2019s development, and ensuring that the Caribbean remains a Zone of Peace are underpinning discussions at a two-day Meeting of CARICOM Foreign Ministers which 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