4/5/2009
Trinidad and Tobago has been applauded for the advanced stage of its preparation for the Fifth Summit of the Americas.
The commendation comes from the Secretary General
of the Organisation of American States, Jose Miguel Insulza who says
compared to previous Summits he has had the honour of organising, "it's
rare to see this degree of preparation" two months before an event
He made the statement during a news conference
organised by the National Secretariat for the Fifth Summit of the
Americas at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad.
The commendation comes from the Secretary General
of the Organisation of American States, Jose Miguel Insulza who says
compared to previous Summits he has had the honour of organising, "it's
rare to see this degree of preparation" two months before an event
He made the statement during a news conference
organised by the National Secretariat for the Fifth Summit of the
Americas at the Hyatt Regency Trinidad.
Mr. Insulza was on a two-day visit to Trinidad
and Tobago where he was briefed by officials of the National
Secretariat about plans for the Summit, which takes place from April
17-19 in Port of Spain. The OAS Secretary General also held talks with
Prime Minister Patrick Manning; Foreign Affairs Minister Paula
Gopee-Scoon; National Security Minister Martin Joseph; Minister in the
Ministry of Finance, Mariano Browne; Ambassadors of OAS Member States
and representatives of international organisations resident in Port of
Spain.
Mr. Insulza is also happy that for the first time
the Summit of the Americas will be held in the Caribbean. He reiterates
his stamp of approval of Trinidad and Tobago as the best venue to host
the Summit, since the country's physical infrastructure is highly
developed and it has the ability to attract investments.
He adds that the Fifth Summit of the Americas
will bring together over 5 thousand people from 33 countries in the
Western Hemisphere who will have the opportunity "to begin looking at
Trinidad and Tobago in another light".He says not since the inaugural
Summit in 1994, is participation expected by all of the leaders of the
Hemisphere.
Meanwhile, National Coordinator of the Summit,
Ambassador Luis Alberto Rodriguez, who also chairs the negotiations of
the Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG) says he expects the
Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain to be approved by the end of
March.
The SIRG is the political and negotiating body
responsible for follow-up on Summit mandates, coordinating the Summit
agenda and preparing for future Summits. They are expected to continue
negotiations on the Draft Declaration later this month.
