Caricom and the Russian Federation recently signed an MoU establishing a mechanism for dialogue and cooperation.
Caricom Deputy Secretary-General Lolita Applewhaite signed on behalf of the Community while His Excellency Sergei Ryabkov, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs for Latin America and the Caribbean signed on his country’s behalf.
“The MOU establishes a Mechanism for Political Dialogue and Cooperation between the two parties and is a result of their mutual desire to strengthen traditional friendly relations as well as to develop fruitful co-operation in spheres of common interest,” Caricom said in a press release.
The memorandum also provides for enhancing dialogue and cooperation between the parties within multilateral organizations, on issues of mutual interest. “It also seeks to promote cooperation and exchanges in the economic, trade, financial, investment, technological, scientific and technical spheres as well as exchanges and training in the fields of culture, education, health care, sports, youth development and tourism,” the release said.
In this regard, the parties will seek to organise conferences, seminars and other events to promote participation and contacts among state, NGOs, youth organisations and business associations of Caricom and the Russian Federation.
It is also envisaged that Meetings of Foreign Ministers will be held at least once every two years in rotation, in the Caricom Member States and the Russian Federation, or in third countries.
