MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Mexico yesterday reiterated its commitment to the socio-economic development of the Caribbean and pledged to help in the further integration process.
“Over the last 10 years, the nations in the Caribbean have made significant progress in building up their economic growth and development. The opportunities to multiply and strengthen our political and economic ties are enormous and will allow us to work together in creating better conditions for our societies,” Mexico’s President Enrique Peña Nieto said.
Mexico is hosting the Third Caribbean Community (CARICOM)-Mexico summit that was followed by the summit of heads of state and governments of the Association of Caribbean States.
“During the summit, we will assess compliance with the actions established in the 2012-2013 Scientific-Technical Cooperation Program, and propose mechanisms to encourage dialogue and strengthen our joint efforts in this area, as part of the 2014-2015 program, ” Nieto said.
The CARICOM-Mexico summit will examine issues relating to economic development, sustainable development and agricultural development, health and the CARICOM-Mexico Cooperation Program.
A draft declaration is expected to be issued at the end of the conference.
Nieto said his country has always enjoyed close historical and cultural ties with the Caribbean, making references to “our common heritage” and the importance of the relationship to Mexico.
“It is our gateway to other regions of the world, and a vital space for our daily interactions with sister nations. This is why the Mexican Government’s foreign policy on the greater Caribbean promotes an agenda of cooperation in various issues of common interest, including environmental protection, health, education, integrated disaster risk management, and the eradication of poverty, to mention a few.”
Nieto said this philosophy was guiding his country’s commitment to promoting both bilateral and multilateral cooperation in the greater Caribbean.
“We would like your countries to receive resources from the Infrastructure Fund for Mesoamerican and Caribbean Countries established in the Yucatán Agreement.”
The Mesoamerica project, established in 2011, is aimed at promoting investments in the areas of human development, sustainable development, energy, telecommunications, trade facilitation, natural disaster prevention and transportation.
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