Politics
Britain promises CARICOM continued support on global stage
La Rocque said the torrential rains that impacted St Vincent and the Grenadines, St. Lucia and Dominica over the last Christmas season “is an only too familiar and sobering reminder of our vulnerabilities”. He said the swift response by London to assist the countries in distress is highly appreciated and is further testimony to the strength of our relationship.
However, he went on to advise, “The devastation wrought by that unusual weather event was a stark reminder that climate change and its related natural disasters with consequential environmental and economic damage are a reality for us. It is also a reality for you given your experience with the flooding of the Rivers Thames and Severn earlier this year.”
“When such experience is put in the context of climate change, it hits close to home and close to heart and becomes everyone’s business,” La Rocque said, noting that the United Kingdom has clearly recognised the vital nature of this issue globally and to the region.
La Rocque said CARICOM was still adversely affected by the global financial and economic crisis and the decision “ of many development partners of ‘graduating’ middle income countries from access to concessionary aid…is based primarily on the flawed assumption that GDP (gross domestic product) per capita is an appropriate measure of development.
“The EU has followed this trend by introducing differentiation in its new development policy. I am hopeful that, given the United Kingdom’s standing in the EU and its ties to the region, it will be a leader in advocating on the Community’s behalf in the Councils of the EU as well as in other fora, with respect to how that policy is applied given the vulnerability of our member states”.
The CARICOM Secretary General said the region was also placing “great importance on the issue of reparations for Caribbean Slavery and Native Genocide. “Our Heads of Government last week reiterated their desire to engage with your Government and other European nations in substantive exchange on the matter in the context of development and in the spirit of the mutually respectful and amicable relations which we enjoy.
La Rocque concluded, “I am convinced that the UK-CARICOM relationship is strong and mature enough to meet the challenge of finding reasonable solutions to these issues and any others that may emerge. We have done so in the past and I have no doubt that we will so do in the future.”
Source: Caribbean360
