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| France's Ambassador His Excellency Patrick Boursin (l) and CARICOM Secretary-General, His Excellency Edwin Carrington |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 30TH 2005 The Caribbean Community is looking forward to increased diplomatic relationship with the Republic of France.
The Republic's new Ambassador to CARICOM, His Excellency Patrick Boursin presented his credentials to CARICOM Secretary-General, His Excellency Edwin Carrington at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana.
According to the CARICOM Secretariat, the Secretary-General said that relations between France and the Caribbean had deep historical foundations involving a number of previous initiatives and noted that the development of relations would shortly be complemented by the negotiation of a Cooperation Framework Agreement between CARICOM and the French Republic.
He pointed out that pursuant to ongoing relations between CARICOM and the Departments of France in the Americas (DFAs), a number of areas for cooperation had been identified. These included agriculture, drug-trafficking, development financing, disaster mitigation and prevention, education, sports and culture and sustainable development, Mr. Carrington said.
Ambassador Boursin in his response said "the move to establish closer relationship could be advantageous to for CARICOM, especially as regards cooperation over and above the bilateral and regional aid that CARICOM Member States already receive."
In addition, that the formal relationship now established between CARICOM and France would provide a framework for dialogue and increased cooperation between the two sides.
He said France recognised CARICOM as the major regional organisation of the Caribbean zone and maintenance of close relations with the Caribbean through CARICOM, would serve to build a bridge for enhanced cooperation between France and the Region.
Ambassador Boursin expressed support for the Region in its battle with the WTO for an increase in the offer for its commodity exports to the EU and pledged to work closely with CARICOM in forging inter-regional cooperation in the interests of the people of the Community and France.
