UNITED NATIONS SEEKS EVER-CLOSER TIES WITH CARICOM, SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS SUMMIT MEETING

Press Release
SG/SM/6016

UNITED NATIONS SEEKS EVER-CLOSER TIES WITH CARICOM, SECRETARY-GENERAL TELLS SUMMIT MEETING

Following is the text of Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali's message today to the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM):

I am delighted to send you my warmest best wishes on the occasion of the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.

The United Nations attaches great importance to the close links between our two organizations. I am therefore very grateful to Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed, Under-Secretary General for Public Affairs, for representing me at the opening ceremony. Ambassador Reed is well known to you, and I look forward to discussions with him on my return to New York.

Today, CARICOM members play a vital role in furthering the United Nations causes of peace, development and democracy. At the regional level, CARICOM is promoting economic integration and foreign policy co-ordination among its Member States with considerable success.

Nowhere has CARICOM's active involvement in regional affairs been more welcome than in Haiti. CARICOM responded positively and immediately to the goal of restoring democracy, so that today Haiti can begin to look forward to a more stable and peaceful future.

Haiti provides a positive example of what can be achieved when the international community reacts effectively and positively to a crisis situation. In these circumstances, the United Nations cannot act in isolation. We depend on the resolve, support and goodwill of Member States and regional organizations.

The increasing complexity of international relations will continue to place a premium on co-operation and co-ordination at the regional level. The Caribbean is no exception. That is why the United Nations attaches the utmost importance to building ever-closer ties with CARICOM.

- 2 - Press Release SG/SM/6016 3 July 1996

The United Nations is striving constantly to cement existing partnerships and to build new regional initiatives and alliances. In doing so, we welcome your initiative in forging closer links between the Caribbean Community and Africa, and the decision to establish a permanent joint diplomatic mission in southern Africa. The inauguration in May 1996 of the Assembly of Caribbean Community Parliamentarians underlines the Community's commitment to increasing regional co-operation wherever possible.

Working together, the United Nations and CARICOM have already achieved a great deal. But we can go further. Two years ago, CARICOM Heads of Government assembled here in Barbados urged closer co-operation between our two organizations.

In accordance with General Assembly resolution 49/141, there has been significant advancement in cooperation between the United Nations and the Caribbean Community. A more flexible mechanism has been introduced, which will enhance existing levels of cooperation and help build a lasting partnership for the benefit of all the peoples of the region.

I have asked Ambassador Reed to consult widely on the implementation of resolution 49/141 and look forward to receiving your comments and proposals in due course.

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