The meeting commenced with a review of the results of the recently concluded ACS Ministerial Meeting, at which Colombia was elected Rapporteur for the current year, and pursuant d iscussions examined the ACS’ role in alleviating the difficulties surrounding the issue of intra-regional transport of persons and cargo, especially in terms of improving connections between the Island Caribbean and the Continent.

Emphasis was also placed on the development of trade in the Greater Caribbean and on the need to establish mechanisms for mitigating the devastating impact of natural disasters on the vulnerable economies of the region.

Talks also turned to culture and the importance of working on culture-related issues in the Greater Caribbean.

“It was an honour to receive Minister Barco,” says SG Silié, “and to be able to speak openly on matters of common interest to the ACS membership. Colombia is fully committed to the New Vision of the Association and understands how important it is to maintaining peace and the well being of the peoples of the Greater Caribbean region.”

Dr. Barco’s Caribbean tour included official visits to the Governments of Cuba, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago. She is also expected to pay an official visit to the Government of Guyana.

About the ACS

The Association of Caribbean States is the organization for consultation, cooperation and concerted action in trade, transport, sustainable tourism and natural disasters in the Greater Caribbean. Its Member States are Antigua & Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Panama, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela. Its Associate Members are Aruba , France on behalf of French Guiana , Guadeloupe , and Martinique , and the Netherlands Antilles .

For further information, please contact:

Denise Lewis Martínez
Communications Officer
Association of Caribbean States
E-mail: communications@acs-aec.org
Tel : 1-868-622-9575
Fax : 1-868-622-1653