In his capacity as Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), Insanally urged the UK to assist the Caribbean in its quest to protect and promote its interests in the area of trade.

He said the region was assured of the UK commitment, identifying as the immediate assistance representation at the upcoming meetings of the European Union and the Group of Eight.

Straw gave the commitment that the interests of the Caribbean will be represented and further pledged the continued assistance of his country to the region.

Insanally said such assistance is crucial as the Caribbean prepares to negotiate new arrangements with the EU and the World Trade Organisation (WTO). He said that without assistance in the development of necessary infrastructure and other facilities, Caribbean countries will be unable to take advantage of trade liberalisation.

The Guyana Foreign Minister said that the past two encounters which the Caribbean experienced, served to identify and initiate cooperation in those areas where cooperation is deemed possible, adding that the agenda for the meeting reflects the critical problems which must be addressed urgently if adequate and timely solutions are to be found..

“We must therefore, on this occasion seek to quickly agree to implement these measures which are considered acceptable and feasible,” he said, reminding that among the proposals that will arise for consideration is one for the establishment of a Caribbean Inward Investment Office to attract financial flows for the region.

At a time when such flows are highly competitive and concentrated, an effort has to be made to encourage interest in the Caribbean, he urged, noting that the relationship between the UK and the Caribbean has matured over time into a solid and structured partnership.

He referred to the Ministerial Task Force set up to highlight the purposes of the cooperation between the two sides and contended that the document may be considered the articles of their association.

Insanally urged that action be hastened to have it translated, seeing it has the imprimatur of the Caribbean Heads of Government.

“Our approach should be practical and realistic, recognising the constraints which exist and attempt at removing them the best we can. This must, however, be done, bearing in mind the serious deficiency of both human and financial resources, from which countries of the Caribbean suffer,” he added.

“We would expect our partners to take account of these limitations and help us to overcome them both”.

Insanally spoke too of the need for support of broad policy objectives, recalling the meeting between Caribbean Heads of Government and British Prime Minister, Tony Blair.

At that meeting, President Bharrat Jagdeo had highlighted the very helpful role which the UK could play as an advocate of Caribbean interests in the many international bodies to which it is affiliated, such as the European Union and the Group of Eight.

He noted that as had obtained with the European Union, the UK’s understanding of the special needs of the Caribbean has enabled it to serve as an effective interlocutor for the region, and said a similar situation can no doubt be realised within the Group of Eight, comprising the world’s most powerful economies.

“We must therefore together give immediate thought to creating the `transmission’ mechanism proposed by Prime Minister Blair to allow us to communicate our concerns in advance to such important meetings such as the G-8 scheduled to take place shortly in Canada,” the COFOR Chairman said.

He suggested that a small representative group of Caribbean Heads of Government could meet Prime Minister Blair on the eve of the meetings, while the Group of Caribbean High Commissioners and Ambassadors in London might brief officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on some of the concerns of the region.

In addition to pledging his country’s continued assistance, Straw, the first British Foreign Secretary to come to this country since it attained Independence, touched on globalisation, noting that its forces are economic prosperity and social justice across the world.

Accompanying the Secretary of State are Guyanese-born Baroness Valarie Amos who has responsibility for relations with the Caribbean, Africa and the Commonwealth in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, and is Prime Minister Blair’s representative on Africa; Dominican-born Baroness Patricia Scotland, second in command at the Ministry of Legal Affairs, and Mr. Bob Ainsworth, Home Office Minister responsible for anti-crime policies, Ministry of Home Affairs.

The forum will deal with issues related to Security and Law Enforcement to counter the threat of drugs and crime; economic development; trade; investment and debt relief; HIV/AIDS, environment and culture and education.

President Jagdeo is this morning to host delegates at a breakfast at State House following which there will a discussion of the draft agenda at the same venue.

Issues of security, the enhancement of law enforcement and drug-related crimes and arms trafficking will come up for discussion during the plenary session prior to a working lunch today which will be hosted by Minister Insanally at Cara Lodge for the CARICOM and UK Ministerial representatives.

Simultaneously, Director of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Elisabeth Harper will host a lunch for officials and observers.

The afternoon sessions will see discussions on the broad issue of Trade and Economic and Sustainable Development under which approaches to the negotiations for the new African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) and EU trade arrangements and WTO compatibility; Bilateral Trade; Information Technology Policy in the Caribbean; Enhancing Tourism to the Caribbean; the Environment, Disaster, Management, Mitigation and the World Summit on Sustainable Development will all be discussed.

Tomorrow’s discussions will address Finance and Investment issues; HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean; Education and Culture; Judiciary and other political issues. A news conference hosted by the co-chairs of the Caribbean and the UK and CARICOM Secretary General, Edwin Carrington will conclude the meeting.

Yesterday’s opening session was chaired by Mr. Carrington who called on the meeting to observe a minute’s silence on the passing of the Queen’s Mother.