The following article submitted by Ambassador to CARICOM David Comisiong If one compares the work effort of Ambassador Comissiong to his predecessors Denis Kelman and Bobby Morris one must give Comissiong higher markes – David, Blogmaster Read Ambassador Comissiong artcile which was published elsewhere. Lead, CARICOM, Lead!
@Dee Word
Are you saying what the Ambassador espouses in public is not his view?
One must assume that if he does not agree with government’s position he would make his resignation available.
Ambassador as a voice of Caricom and one quick to endorse an open door immigration policy for Haitians
Question what is latest report on the Haitian issue in Barbados
Did the govt of Haiti respond to your threatening letter
What have you based your statement on? Isnât Barbados a signatory to the RTOC? Every issue you distil through a political lease. Ambassador Comissiong is executing what we have signed up for.
Can’t remember any threatening letter…what Comissiong wrote to Haiti, though it should’ve been written BEFORE…the no visa change…was accurate in content and fair.
Well if i am wrong in my comment
The ambassador is free to correct
No!
Until a correction is made my comments stand as stated
Who is the Minister of Foreign Affairs? Commissiong or Doctor Walcott. We find it hard to believe that Walcott can give Commissiong orders.
The Prime Minister met separately with representatives of the Governments of the United States and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela today.
A press statement from the Prime Minister’s office stated that during each meeting, Mottley emphasised that continued dialogue was essential to a peaceful resolution of the political situation in Venezuela. Mottley underscored that the Caribbean region is a Zone of Peace and must remain so at all cost.
Mottley also highlighted that Barbados’ interaction with all countries is based on values and principles related to non-interference and non-intervention in the internal affairs of countries, respect for law and order the protection of democracy, and promotion of human rights.
As a result of Barbados’ active engagement on the issue within CARICOM, Mottley has been invited to attend a meeting on Venezuela to be held in Uruguay next week to promote dialogue and a peaceful resolution in Venezuela.(Quote)
Another Jong press release. Our PM is punching above her weight? Uruguay? What about staying n Barbados and doing some work?
Interesting report about a tiff brewing between the OAS and Caricom.
https://www.guardian.co.tt/news/tensions-rise-between-caricom-6.2.771729.0d07169cad
CARICOM is pushing back against the European Union’s (EU) continuous threatened blacklisting of countries in the region.
Barbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM David Comissiong says regional governments have recognised the threat for what it is and have devised “a very multi-faceted and comprehensive strategy” to deal with it.
On Thursday, while updating the media on last month’s 30th Inter-Sessional meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government, Comissiong said all the Heads would be participating “in a strategy of reaching out to the member states of the EU, defending the region’s sovereignty and making it clear to the EU that the persistent threats of black-listing are not permissible.”
Comissiong said the EU had for some time been either “unilaterally” blacklisting CARICOM member states, or threatening to take such action, alleging these countries were not compliant with EU standards of tax good governance.
He pointed out that Barbados had been a victim, causing the island to take the initiative of doing a convergence between the tax rates applied to international companies versus rates applied to local companies. As a result, tax rates for international companies have been increased, while rates for Barbadian companies have been reduced.(Quote)
Is this the role of the ambassador to CARICOM or for the foreign secretary or prime minister? Who determines policy?
The Caribbean is a strategic priority for the United States, said U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Kimberly Breier last week as she warned countries about China and Russia’s involvement in the region.
“We recognize the importance of the Caribbean to the success of this hemisphere, and believe that a region united in our shared values and shared interests will result in a more prosperous region,” she said at the eighth Caribbean-United States Security Cooperation Dialogue at the Department of State on Thursday.
“Key to this is the issue of our security.”
She added, “As you know, China has more equity capital invested in the Caribbean on a per capita basis than it does in the rest of Latin America.
“If Chinese companies operate on a level playing field in ways where they play by the rules, this investment could greatly benefit your countries.
“However, far too often, China has departed from international best practices, and when it does, its opaque methods have enabled corruption, eroded good governance and stolen countries’ sovereignty and national resources.
“In the western hemisphere, all countries should require that infrastructure development projects feature a transparent procurement process, uphold environmental and social safeguards and foster inclusive growth, in line with the standards of international financial institutions.
“In the Caribbean, there are at least nine so-called Confucius Institutes, spreading Chinese communist party propaganda throughout the region. This is incompatible with the region’s deep democratic legacy and respect for free expression.
“Russia’s presence in the Caribbean is also now stronger than at any time since the end of the Cold War. New embassies, military cooperation agreements, Russian spy ships being spotted by the U.S. Navy and Caribbean ports and mines being opened to Russian companies create strategic vulnerabilities.
“However, I want to underscore that the United States is your neighbor. We share your values and cultures and we have much at stake together in shaping the future of the region through efforts like CBSI (Caribbean Basin Security Initiative).
“Our investment decisions today will have a generational impact on our citizens in the future.”
The Caribbean-United States Security Cooperation Dialogue took place on the 10th anniversary of CSBI, a U.S. initiative to support Caribbean countries in their efforts to reduce illicit trafficking, increase citizen security and promote crime prevention.(Quote)
This is a challenge to CARICOM, what do we have to say to this?
The importance of the Caribbean is defined by geopolitics. If the Caribbean is hedging by strengthening diplomatic relations with another hegemonist, what is the problem?
The EU and South American economic bloc Mercosur have clinched a huge trade deal after 20 years of negotiations.
EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker said it was the EU’s biggest deal to date and, at a time of trade tensions between the US and China, showed that “we stand for rules-based trade”.
Brazil’s President Jair Bolsonaro said it was “historic” and “one of the most important trade deals of all time”.
Mercosur consists of Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and Paraguay.
Venezuela is also a member but it was suspended in 2016 for failing to meet the group’s basic standards.
The deal aims to cut or remove trade tariffs, making imported products cheaper for consumers while also boosting exports for companies on both sides.
It is set to create a market for goods and services covering nearly 800 million consumers, making it the largest in the world in terms of population.
Five things about the EU-Japan trade deal
What is Mercosur?
The two parties began negotiating in 1999 but talks accelerated after US President Donald Trump’s election in 2016. As a result EU-US talks were frozen.
The EU has also concluded trade agreements with Canada, Mexico and Japan since Mr Trump’s election.
However, the EU deal with Mercosur could see savings on tariffs that are four times as big as those made in the Japan deal, EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom said.(Quot e)
CARICOM is older than Mercosur, yet the Latinos can negotiate as a single body. When is CARICOM going to do the same?
Why is our CARICOM ambassador attacking the US for its position on Cuban medical professionals? Is Cuba now part of CARICOM or is the ambassador a loose cannon? Who does he report to, the foreign minister of the prime minister?
David Comisiong is a racist,a very bad racist..how can he be ambassador to anything?
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