G-3 was created in 1989 when Colombia, México and Venezuela, attending the meetings of the Contadora Group to sign the Pact of San José , expressed their willingness to contribute to the political and economic dialogue between what was then the EEC and Central America.
Though the Bogota Meeting was held to mark the 10th anniversary and to make important decisions regarding the Free trade Treaty, it is the Ministerial Declaration coming out of the Meeting which focuses our attention today, as the document turned out to be a recommitment on the part of the three nations to the ideal of a Greater Caribbean.
According to Mexican Foreign Minister "México, Venezuela and Colombia are seeking integration not only from the economic point of view but also from a social perspective for the benefit of our citizens”. The three high – ranking officials also discussed the G-3’s links to the Caribbean in order to extend their commercial ties to the sub region. The Venezuelan Foreign Minister stated that ”Venezuela will contribute all of its influence in the Caribbean in order to make the integration of our countries a reality [as] The Caribbean roots of our three countries give us a basis and a common vision of development”.
In this important document, the Ministers agree to undertake joint horizontal co-operation activity towards the countries of the Caribbean region and welcome Venezuela’s proposal to use the headquarters of that country’s Institutes of Co-operation and Culture throughout the region for a joint programme of cultural activities to be prepared. The Ministers further expressed their willingness to continually support programmes in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the region.

Furthermore, the Ministers commit themselves to co-operate with Haiti in all aspects of the reconstruction of its democratic institutions and instructed their National Co-ordinators to prepare a Mission to examine possible areas of co-operation in which the G-3 could contribute to international efforts to assist that country. In this regard, Minister Barco of Colombia said that the G-3 seeks “an integrated and continuous response” to the issue of cooperation with Haiti.

The ACS obviously welcomes this Declaration from the Ministers as, whilst stating that the three countries have the greatest interest in strengthening regional co-operation, consultation and co-ordination mechanisms in the economic and social spheres, it very clearly recognises the importance of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) as the main forum for co-operation in the Greater Caribbean and commits the Ministers to join forces to strengthen its action in the region, and promote participation at the highest level in the Summit of 2005 to be held in Panama.

The importance of this recommitment for the Greater Caribbean region cannot be underestimated. Quite apart from the obvious potential of these three countries to provide energy, technical and other forms of assistance to their region, the recommitment on the part of the Ministers breathes new life into the ideal of solidarity in which, through confidence building initiatives such as those proposed in the Declaration, we can finally develop our Greater Caribbean identity and tell the globalised world that the Caribbean Sea, rather than being the moat between us, unites us in many common causes vital to our survival and prosperity.

Agreement between G-3 and 9 Central American and Caribbean countries for the supply of hydrocarbons through special financing arrangements, as well as the establishment of a cooperation mechanism for economic and social development.

Mr. Luis Carpio is the Political Adviser of the Association of Caribbean States. The views expressed are not necessarily the official views of the ACS. Feedback can be sent to mail@acs-aec.org

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13 September, 2004