UK and Caribbean discuss co-operation on energy, education and security
18 Jun 2014 04:39 PM
Foreign Secretary and
Caribbean Ministers hold high-level talks on prosperity and security at Eighth
UK-Caribbean Ministerial Forum.
Foreign Ministers from the
CARICOM (Caribbean Community) countries and the Dominican Republic and Premiers
of the UK Overseas Territories in the Caribbean met in London this week for
high-level talks with the Foreign Secretary, FCO Minister for the Caribbean,
Mark Simmonds, and other UK Government Ministers.
Held every two years, the
UK-Caribbean Ministerial Forum provides a framework for discussion between the
UK and Caribbean on a range of bilateral, regional and international issues.
This year’s event focused on joint efforts to promote prosperity and
encourage economic growth.
As well as government to
government talks, the Forum featured a trade and investment event which
promoted new business opportunities in the Caribbean. Caribbean Ministers also
met HRH the Earl of Wessex, UK parliamentarians and participated in a
‘Caribbean Question Time’ event with members of the UK Caribbean
community.
As a result of discussions at
the Forum, UK and Caribbean Ministers agreed to follow-up activity on energy
security, education for economic development and tackling serious and organised
crime.
Speaking after the event, the
Foreign Secretary William Hague said:
The UK has a unique relationship
with the Caribbean, based on friendship, mutual understanding and shared
values. The Forum allowed us to celebrate that relationship but, more
importantly, was an opportunity to look forward and agree concrete steps to
promote prosperity and boost economic growth for both the Caribbean and the
UK.
Further
information
- The UK-Caribbean Ministerial
Forum is the principal vehicle for high-level dialogue between the UK and the
Caribbean region.
- It was first held in Nassau in
1998. It takes place every two years at Foreign Minister level with the
Caribbean and the UK taking it in turn to host.
- The Forum was last held in
Grenada in 2012 and, before that, in London in July 2008.
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