Grenada's PM calls for a deepening of relations with South Africa
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| Published on Monday, November 30, 2009 |
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By Richard Simon
PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad -- Grenada’s Prime Minister Tillman Thomas has called for the setting up of a regional mechanism to deepen relations with South Africa, a member of the G20, during a CARICOM – South Africa meeting on Sunday morning.
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| Prime Minister Tillman Thomas at the CARICOM - South Africa meeting |
“We need a regional approach that will help to strengthen our representation in South Africa,” the Prime Minister said, noting the historic relations between the Caribbean and Africa.
South African President Jacob Zuma welcomed the idea and pledged to communicate the regions desire to deepen relations with Africa, to the next African Union summit in January. The South African leader also agreed to a request by CARICOM leaders to raise their concerns in major international fora in which CARICOM is not represented, including the G20.
“We depend on you to carry our fight for us, to impress upon them vulnerabilities of economies like ours. We also encourage you to be the voice to the voiceless at the G20,” Jamaica’s Prime Minister Bruce Golding told the meeting.
The two sides, meeting for the first time since Zuma became South African President in April 2009, also discussed air transportation, tourism and the revival of the Diaspora conference which we due to be held in South Africa last year, but was cancelled.
Zuma also assured CARICOM leaders that his country is engaged in discussions with its neighbour, Zimbabwe, to bring a resolution to the crisis there.
South Africa called on regional leaders to focus on specific areas, including education that will strengthen CARICOM’s voice in the global community.
CARICOM leaders also met with the Prime Minister of Australia, Kevin Rudd and Prime Minister of Canada, Steven Harper. | | | | Reads : 542 | | | |
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