United States Vice President Joe Biden held “frank and cordial” talks on Tuesday with Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders and pledged Washington’s assistance on a wide range of issues affecting the socio-economic development of the of the 15-member regional grouping.
“I want to thank you all for the important discussions…but more importantly for the frankness and directness we were able to engage in. It was completely open, completely frank and completely straightforward even where we disagreed,” said Bid, who wrapped up a 21-hour visit here as part of a tri-nation tour of South America and the Caribbean.
“That’s how friends should treat friends and we need you” he said, adding that he hoped Washington would be able to play a part in the overall development of the region.
CARICOM Chairman and Haiti’s President Michel Martelly, described the talks at the Diplomatic Centre on the outskirts of the capital “as a great success” adding “we have come out from a very frank but cordial conversation with the Vice President.
“We believe that today’s discussions further strengthen the relationship between the Caribbean and the United States. It would no doubt help the United States articulate clearly its policy towards the Caribbean which would provide an over aching framework for the relationship and cooperation.
“The Caribbean took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of its sustainable development growth and the need for the United States to partner with the region in achieving this, “Martelly said, noting that trade is important in facilitating such growth “and we stressed the importance of trade being conducted on a level playing field and respect for the rules established by the World Trade Organization (WTO)”.
Martelly, who together with Biden signed a trade investment framework agreement (TIFA) to galvanise trade and investment activities between the two sides and within CARICOM, said the regional leaders called on Washington “ to engage early and meaningfully with CARICOM countries with a view to addressing in a sympathetic manner the region’s concern with regards to rum and internet gaming”.
CARICOM countries have said in the past that they countries say they will continue to oppose subsidies being granted to UK-based Diageo, one of the world’s biggest producers of rum, because of the impact the subsidy is having on rum producers in the region, while Antigua and Barbuda continues to haggle with Washington to abide by the WTO ruling in its favour on internet gaming. (CMC)