CARICOM and Italy to deepen cooperation in technology and tourism
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
GEORGETOWN, Guyana: The Caribbean Community
(CARICOM) has received the assurances of the Government of Italy’s
representative in the region that Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
are among the areas in which Italy is interested in increased cooperation with
CARICOM.
While giving this commitment to the
Secretary-General of CARICOM, Mr. Edwin Carrington on Monday, Italy’s
Plenipotentiary Representative to CARICOM, Mr. Gerardo Carante proposed a
mechanism of consultations between CARICOM and Italy on all matters of common
interest.
Ambassador Carante made the proposal while
presenting his credentials to the CARICOM Secretary-General at the
Secretariat’s Headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana.
Welcoming the non-resident Italian envoy, the Secretary-General pointed to
Italy’s commitment of US$9 million in support to the Region’s Connectivity
Agenda, which includes Radio CARICOM and the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning
Network (CKLN) which were both launched at the recently held Twenty-Fifth
Regular Meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Grenada. Expressing his hope
for the early approval of the project, Mr. Carrington noted that at the launch
of Radio CARICOM and the CKLN, the Heads of Government were particularly
appreciative of the contribution by the Government of Italy. “They also
reaffirmed their previously stated commitment to use ICT as a catalyst to
further enhance the quality of life of the Region’s citizens, particularly in
social and human development, poverty reduction and governance,” Mr.
Carrington pointed out. He underscored
CARICOM’s positive relations with Italy, set against the backdrop of that
country’s 1988 accession to non-borrowing membership of the Caribbean
Development Bank. Relations between CARICOM and Italy were further cemented in
2003, he said, through Italy’s contribution to the CARICOM/CARIFORUM Food
Security initiative and the CARICOM Information and Communications Technology
Connectivity Agenda. He also highlighted that European country’s support for
Public Sector Management and Information Technology and funding of Public
Administration, Governance and Regional Cooperation as noteworthy, and
expressed appreciation to the Italian envoy on behalf of all Member States.
In his response, the Italian representative to CARICOM said the Regional
grouping has influenced the hemisphere immeasurably, and he cited the imminent
establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) as a progressive
and prosperous prospect for the Region. “Italy looks with interest and
confident expectation at the initiatives which have been boldly taken,
particularly through CARICOM, towards increasing cooperation and integration
within the Caribbean region,” Ambassador Carante said. He added that this is
one of the Region’s best approaches to meet the challenges of globalization.
Within the framework of its ongoing programme of assistance to the Caribbean
Community, the Italian Representative to CARICOM noted that Italy plans to
pursue consultations with CARICOM on issues common to the two sides, and he
gave assurance of his commitment to foster enhanced relations and promote
shared values between CARICOM and Italy during his tenure.
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