PM Browne delivers Rousing Address at CARCIOM Inter-Sessional Opening

“United Action will allow us to take advantage of opportunities that could better the lives of our people”

NASSAU, The Bahamas – 26th February 2015……Focusing on a message of togetherness, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda the Hon. Gaston Browne delivered a rousing address at the Opening of the 26th Inter-Sessional Meeting of CARICOM in The Bahamas today, calling on the region’s leaders to approach the development of the region as one people.

“Only our collective action in defence of our mutual interest will offer resistance to the tides of unfavourable challenges that rush from outside and imperil the livelihoods of our people.  Similarly, only united action will allow us to take advantage of opportunities that could better the lives of our people,” Prime Minister Browne told the gathering.

He outlined that the region needs collaboration, cooperation and unity in its affairs with the international community, if CARICOM is to surmount obstacles, overcome limitations and advance the people’s interests.

“We need to engage the international community at all the levels open to us, and through our best people.  Wherever possible we must establish a Caribbean presence within international organisations to advance Caribbean interests.

And, we must do so through genuine Caribbean representatives who have fought in the trenches for us and for Caribbean development.That is the only way we have a chance of success,” said Prime Minister Browne.

We are pleased to present in full, the text of Prime Minister Browne’s Address:  

 

 

 

Statement by Hon Gaston Browne MP

Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda

at the Opening of the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting

In Nassau, Bahamas

Chairman

Colleague Heads of Government

Ministers of Government

Members of the Diplomatic Corps

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen

I thank Prime Minister Perry Christie and the people and government of The Bahamas for the warm welcome given to all the participants in this meeting.

We have no doubt that under Prime Minister Christie’s chairmanship, the outcomes of this meeting will be beneficial to the people of the Caribbean Community who have entrusted us with a mandate to manage their regional affairs.

ooOoo

As I formally hand-over the gavel of chairmanship of CARICOM, I would like to reflect briefly on the period of my own stewardship of the Community’s affairs.

I came to the Chairmanship within weeks of winning a general election and becoming a Head of Government for the first time.

I am thankful to my colleagues for the encouragement and support they gave me.