CARIBBEAN Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque, maintains that Haiti undoubtedly enriches the cultural diversity of the CARICOM Community, and holds many “opportunities” for member states.His comments followed the accreditation of Haiti’s first plenipotentiary representative to the CARICOM Community, His Excellency Mr Peterson Benjamin Noel, who presented his credentials to Ambassador La Rocque on Friday at the CARICOM headquarters in Turkeyen, ECD.

 MUCH WORK
LaRocque said Haiti’s membership with CARICOM has been highlighted through several efforts, particularly over the last year.

“Since embracing membership in 2002, Haiti and the Community have worked together to ensure the smoothest possible integration of your country into CARICOM. To this end, the CARICOM Representation Office in Haiti had worked with your own Bureau de Suivi.

“Numerous technical missions, workshops and engagements have been held; for example, to assist Haiti in preparing for its eventual accession to the Single Market regime. These efforts have been greatly facilitated by a number of international donors, in particular the Government of Canada as well as the Governments of Australia and Spain,” Ambassador LaRocque said.

He added that the first time Haiti assumed the chairmanship of the Community was a period when the Community benefited from the “able leadership” of President Martelly.

LaRocque said, “Most recently, President Martelly’s leadership brought the Community’s focus on the needs of the differently-abled, which resulted in the Declaration of Petionville, adopted by the High-Level Regional Meeting on Persons with Disabilities.

“That Declaration now forms the platform on which the Community is advancing its efforts to address issues of concern to persons with disabilities.”
La Rocque also said that the Government and people of Haiti have shown themselves to be resilient, creative, focused and determined. “These qualities have allowed Haiti to overcome many of the challenges that have threatened its aspirations. This is not surprising when one takes into account the proud history of Haiti and its epic and victorious struggle for independence against the odds, and to overthrow slavery. These qualities come into play once again in your country’s quest to achieve its highest aspirations,” he said.

Ambassador LaRocque said the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) welcomes what Haiti brings to CARICOM.

He referred to comments made by Haiti’s President, Michel Martelly, who outlined Haiti as “a market of nearly ten million people, unsuspected natural assets, and a rich cultural heritage”.

“Haiti undoubtedly enriches the cultural diversity of the Community. President Martelly rightly described Haiti as an opportunity, one yet to be fully discovered by our people,” LaRocque said.

LaRocque reassured the newly accredited official of the Secretariat’s support going forward. He said, “Though your responsibilities and tasks are onerous, we are convinced that you are well equipped to handle them, and will bring new insight and energy to our own efforts at further integration. The Secretariat and your fellow CARICOM Ambassadors stand ready to work with you in those efforts.”

COMMITTED
Ambassador Noel stressed the importance the Government of Haiti assigns its participation in CARICOM, and made clear that the country is committed to improving that participation. He said, “I want to emphasize the importance that the Government of Haiti bestows on its participation in the regional integration movement….”

Ambassador Noel said Haiti should be seen and treated as an opportunity. “Despite its difficulties, it represents a good opportunity for the region, an opportunity for each CARICOM country,” Noel said.

He made it clear that a Haitian economy that works would best serve the interests of CARICOM, and would help expand the regional market and opportunities. Noel said, “I want to take this opportunity to advocate for my country and to encourage people from the region to take full advantage of the Republic of Haiti’s accession into the Community.

“Allow me to reassure you that all efforts are being made to fully integrate the CARICOM Single Market and Economy and to diversify our trading partners.”

Noel underscored the importance of fully integrating French as one of the official languages of the Community, along with English. “The achievement of this goal will benefit the people of the region,” Noel stressed.

He also expressed his appreciation for the statement of support uttered by the Secretary General, and reiterated that Haiti is making all efforts at greater integration with the Caribbean Community.

Noel said, “As the ‘change driver’ of Haiti, I would like to commend you for your emphasis on the reform process within the Community. Yesterday I had the opportunity to express the commitment of Haiti to the Community. We support the finalization of the New Strategic Plan for CARICOM, which will drive the whole integration process over the next five years.”
Written By Vanessa Narine