Monday, November 30 2009

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CONFIDENT STRIDE: Making a confident stride to the CHOGM Retreat Session IV at the Hyatt Regency in Port-of-Spain yesterday was Singapore Prime Minist...

CARICOM countries will be coordinating their efforts as they seek to play a part in achieving a successful outcome to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Doha talks which take place in Geneva, Switzerland today.

Prime Minister Patrick Manning made this statement during the final news conference of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and Conference Centre in Port-of-Spain yesterday.

Manning said while individual Caricom countries may have their own particular issues, there was an established mechanism within Caricom for dealing with trade issues. He added that while Trade and Industry Minister Mariano Browne is now in Geneva articulating Trinidad and Tobago’s position, Caricom trade ministers attending the meeting will be coordinating their efforts. “We are anxious to conclude the Doha round of talks,” Manning said.

Manning admitted that while climate change was the dominant issue at the CHOGM, this does not mean the world financial crisis was placed on a back burner in Port-of-Spain over the last three days.

“That is not so. Both issues are of equal importance.” New Zealand Prime Minister John Key agreed with Manning.

“A successful conclusion to the meeting in Geneva will send a strong signal that the world is coming out of the recession,” Key stated.

In clause 59 of the CHOGM final communique, Commonwealth leaders pledged their commitment to achieving “a successful and development-centred conclusion to the Doha Round 2010.” The leaders urged all parties “to demonstrate the flexibility and political will required to make such an outcome possible.”