CARICOM to be represented at G7 Summit  

DPI, GUYANA, Friday, April 13, 2018

The current and previous chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have been invited to attend the 44 G7 Summit by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Prime Minister Trudeau made the announced today during a working luncheon Canada hosted with CARICOM Heads of State and Delegations who are gathered in Lima, Peru for the eight Summit of the Americas.

The Canadian Prime Minister said having leadership from the Caribbean attend the Summit is “extremely important” to the strengthening of its international relations.

“For me, the opportunity to use Canada’s voice on the world stage to bring forward issues that matter to our friends is one of the most important things in our approach to international relations,” he said.

President of Haiti, Jovenel Moise is the current Chairman of CARICOM, he took over from Grenadian Prime Minister Keith Mitchell.

This year’s G7 Summit is being held in Quebec, Canada on June 8-9. The G7 is an informal block of seven industrialised countries – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, Japan and the United States – that meet annually to discuss global economic governance, international security and energy policy.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Trudeau explained today’s luncheon was aimed at deepening the good and close relations between Canada and CARICOM. “This luncheon, for me, is an opportunity to hear from all of you on your perspectives on how Canada can help and on what issues and how you feel we can work best as we move forward together,” Prime Minister Trudeau said.

The Caribbean is the highest per capita recipient of Canadian development assistance since 1963. The Canadian High Commission to Guyana was accredited to CARICOM since 2003.

In more recent times, Canada has lent its assistance to CARICOM states with issues related to climate change, protecting the ocean and working together in other areas to create opportunities for its citizens.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge represented Guyana at the luncheon. “Guyana spoke on the issue of trade our dependence on trade and also they discussed security issues,” Minister Greenidge said following the conclusion of the luncheon.

The Minister noted that the Guyana Venezuela border controversy did not come up but, “Canada made some observations as regards their concerns to see the situation improved in Venezuela.”

On Thursday Minister Greenidge met with Canada’s Foreign Affairs Ministers. The meeting was aimed at strengthening relations between Guyana and Canada.

President David Granger and Prime Minister Trudeau are expected to have a bilateral exchange on the side lines of Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which begins next week in London, England.

 

By: Tiffny Rhodius