Havana, 13th December, 1996

The Ministerial Council:

Articles V and IX, item (c), of the Convention establishing the ACS;

Articles 5, 6, paragraph 1 (D) and 9 of the Norms and Conditions governing the Participation of Observers in the Open Sessions of the Ministerial Council and of the Special Committees, and

That the Republic of India has officially expressed to the Association of Caribbean States its interest in participating as Observer;

That the Republic of India has traditionally kept close and friendly relations with the countries of the region;

That the Republic of India is interested in enhancing its participation in organizations in the Caribbean;

That the Caribbean region has a significant population of Indian origin, a fact that specially fosters exchanges in the fields of culture, philosophy and arts;

That there are important prospects for economic exchanges with the Republic of India in the region;

That the Republic of India wishes to share experiences connected with development processes;

That the participation of the Republic of India will enrich the work of the Association of Caribbean States,

That cooperation should be based on the purposes and principles of the ACS and the guidelines established to that effect in Agreement No. 4/96.

1. Admit the Republic of India as Observer to the Association of Caribbean States. India's participation will be in keeping with the provisions of the Convention establishing the Association of Caribbean States and the Norms and Conditions governing the Participation of Observers in the Open Sessions of the Ministerial Council and of the Special Committees.

2. Invite the Government of the Republic of India to make financial and other contributions to the Association, pursuant to Article 9 of Agreement 4/95, and instruct the Secretary General that contacts should be established with this Goverment in order to determine the terms in which said contributions shall be made.