The 26th Meeting of the Caribbean Forum of the African and Pacific States Wrapped up here recently with discussion on many issues including BREXIT and its implications for CARIFORUM countries.
Speaking during a very short press briefing at the conclusion of the meeting on Friday January 17th, 2020 then Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Louis Straker disclosed that other matters addressed at the meeting included: the EPA, ECPE Post Cotonou Relations, Caribbean Export Development Agency and Caribbean Regional Information and Translation Institution CRITI among other issues.
Highlighting one of the meeting’s primary focus, Director General of CARIFORUM, Percival Marie alluded to the Post Cotonou negotiations; adding that the negotiations will be done at two levels, a foundation level that applies to all members of ACP countries and the other, three protocols for Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific. The Director General also indicated that they are also engaged in bilateral negotiations with the European Union on a Regional Caribbean EU protocol. According to Director General Marie, a range of Caribbean priorities were identified as well as the positions that will be taken in addressing these priorities.