Grenada to widen dialogue on its observer status in ALBA

by Michael Bascombe

ST GEORGE’S, Grenada, January 19, 2011 - Grenada would be seeking to strengthen old alliances and develop new ones in trying to secure economic and technical assistance in 2011.

Minister responsible for Foreign Affairs, the Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development, Karl Hood said that a new and perhaps bold step has been Grenada’s observer status in the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA).

“I know that our people are not fully seized of the great potential for cooperation that this initiative affords, thus it might be prudent to widen the dialogue on this issue,” he said on Wednesday during debate on the 2011 Budget in the House of Representatives.

“Controversial as it may appear; we cannot engage others or influence others by running away from dialogue,” he said adding that “We must as a country take bold and difficult decisions in an effort to advance our economic interests”.

However, Mr Hood said that the watch word must be prudence and international engagements and actions must not compromise the country and its people.

“I give the assurance here that under my watch at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs this would be our main guiding principle”.

St Vincent and the Grenadines, Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica are the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries with membership in ALBA.

He said that Cuba continues to be a loyal partner in Grenada’s development and the aim is to strengthen relations. He said this was demonstrated by the many visits in 2010, highlighted by the Prime Minister’s official visit last March which served to strengthen ties.

The on-going dialogue with Cuba included the 12^th session of the Grenada-Cuba Joint Commission held in Cuba in February.

Mr Hood said that Cuba is willing to offer assistance within their capabilities in the areas of health, education, construction and culture.

“The call is for us to make use of the opportunities afforded to us by our continued good and friendly relations with the Government and people of Cuba”.

He said that we must be cognizant of the reality that grant aid is diminishing and it means Grenada has to be more aggressive, insistent and strategic.

He said that this means the work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is more challenging and efforts will be made to increase the human capacity of the entire Ministry with additional staff.

He said that active engagement with the global community will be the hallmark of Grenada’s foreign policy, listing among priority areas the strengthening of the Technical Co-operation Unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as the country’s overseas Missions.

He said that as a follow-up to the Preparatory Diaspora Conference last year, Government will establish Consultative Committees in various Diaspora locations in addition to the strengthening of the local office.

A Diaspora Consultative Committee is already functioning in the United Kingdom, led by High Commissioner Ruth Rouse and the process has already started in New York with one meeting held last year.

“Given the need to build our capacity in the area of Foreign Policy, we will continue our drive to recruit qualified persons as well as the enactment of a Foreign Service Order,” Hood said.

He said that the criteria for the appointment of Grenada’s Honorary Consuls will be reviewed and appropriate adjustments made.