GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
SPEAKING NOTES FOR
THE HONOURABLE KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR, SC, MP
PRIME MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF
THE EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
PANAMA CITY, PANAMA
APRIL 12TH, 2015
INTRODUCTION
Good morning to you all and thank you for joining us on this
momentous occasion.
I must also thank the persons who helped with organizing
today’s event.
From the moment I arrived, it was clear that a lot of hard work,
and a spirit of kinship was put into making today happen and I
thank you on behalf of the Government and people of Trinidad
& Tobago.
TRINIDAD& TOBAGO IN PANAMA
In the course of a nation’s progress, as it marks memorable
moments and climbs determinedly on the back of successes,
there are moments which must be commemorated.
These moments are like the lamps along that path of progress,
which point to the times when steps became leaps forward.
Today is such a day.
The establishment of an Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad
and Tobago in Panama is one of those lamps along the way that
stands for something significant.
Today, we herald the moment when our nations decided to
take our friendship into a lasting, mutually beneficial and
cordial relationship.
It is a demonstration of how very seriously we take our foreign
policy, and how committed we are to joining hands with our
neighbours in Central and South America, in a way that benefits
both our countries.
And while there are clear areas where we can build valuable
relations in trade and commercial activities with Latin America,
the reasons run even deeper.
The decision to establish an Embassy in Panama was taken
because of:
(i)
Panama’s strategic and geopolitical significance;
(ii) The strong commercial relationship between Trinidad and
Tobago and Panama and the potential for this to be further
enhanced by the newly signed Partial Scope Trade Agreement
between our two countries; and
(iii) The benefits to trade that will come with the expansion of
the Panama Canal.
And with the momentum we have gathered in the past years, I
give you the commitment that our relations will grow even
beyond these areas in the years to come.
BILATERAL RELATIONS
In fact, I think it is about time…that we look at areas in addition
to trade and commerce, as formal diplomatic relations were
established just over two decades ago.
A strong bond between our peoples has existed for even longer
than that.
Trinidad& Tobago citizens were among the many Caribbean
nationals who travelled to Panama during the first half of the
twentieth century, in search of employment in the construction
of the Panama Canal and your banana plantations.
Panama was also the first Central American nation to establish
a resident Embassy in Port of Spain in 1995.
And this is one of the reasons why today is a momentous
occasion, as we in Trinidad & Tobago will become the first
English-speaking CARICOM country to establish a resident
mission in Panama City.
A SHARED VISION FOR DEVELOPMENT
I believe that the strength of our relations stands as a good
example because, as peoples, we were not hindered by
language differences, or distance.
What we have shared for decades transcends those barriers;
that is a common vision for development and progress.
This common vision is evident in our history of collaboration
through regional, hemispheric and multilateral organizations
including the:
·
United Nations (UN);
·
Organisation of American States (OAS);
·
Community of Latin American and Caribbean States
(CELAC);
·
Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA),
and
·
Association of Caribbean States (ACS.
Our shared history shows the times we stood together on
regional and hemispheric development.
And the times we worked together in international fora on
issues such as Climate Change; Disaster Risk Reduction, and
Human Rights.
Panama and Trinidad & Tobago have also provided political
support to each other on important issues in international
forums.
On numerous occasions we provided meaningful support to
Panama for its candidatures to international organizations
including:
·
Most recently its candidature to the Economic and Social
Council (ECOSOC) for 2014-2016;
·
Its re-election to Category ‘A’ of the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) for 2014-2015, and
·
Its election to the post of Titular Member of the Governing
Body of the International Labour Organization (ILO) for 20142017.
These are the ties that have created this platform of unity
between our nations, and the reasons why we welcome this
moment.
DEEPENING BILATERAL RELATIONS
Since 1994, Trinidad and Tobago and Panama have worked
consistently to develop the bilateral relationship and today
enjoy strong and rewarding bilateral ties.
As our ties expanded, new areas of opportunity have been
created and it is this diplomatic mission that will be the vehicle
to support those opportunities.
AGREEMENTS IN PLACE
Most recently, you will recall the successful negotiation of the
Partial Scope Trade Agreement which was signed in October,
2013.
This agreement will support economic relations between both
countries through the expansion of trade in goods.
This agreement also provides for trade in services and in this
regard it is important to note that Panama and Trinidad &
Tobago have each committed to “progressively liberalize trade
in services in selected sectors”.
These areas include Construction Services; Energy Services;
Port Services and Information, Communication and
Telecommunication, among others.
A Bill to give effect to this agreement received the approval of
the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Republic of
Trinidad and Tobago in March 2015, and was assented to on
April 1st, 2015.
NEW AREAS OF COLLABORATION
There is also tremendous potential for enhanced co-operation
in the area of energy and energy affairs.
In March, 2012 Trinidad and Tobago and Panama signed a
Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Sector Cooperation,
providing a framework to explore mutually beneficial market
opportunities.
This initial agreement, which was for three years, expired on
March 12, 2015 and consideration is being given to renewing
the agreement given its significance to Trinidad and Tobago as
a net exporter of energy, and to Panama as a net importer.
Air Service collaboration has also yielded substantial benefit
with the advent of flights by COPA airlines.
Initially, COPA offered three to four flights per week; today, the
airline offers one to two daily flights out of Trinidad and
Tobago.
This has impacted significantly and positively on the ease of
travel to Central and South America with benefits to tourism
and business in both countries.
Panama and Trinidad & Tobago have also initiated discussion
on a number of other agreements which would see enhanced
cooperation in areas such as Culture, Education, Sport,
Technical Cooperation and Tourism.
This range of interests is indicative of the potential depth and
scope of the engagement between the two countries.
And already there is significant interest in Panama by the
Trinidad and Tobago private sector.
Just one month ago, a 28-member delegation from the Trinidad
& Tobago Manufacturers Association participated in a trade
mission to the EXPOCOMER Exhibition hosted in Panama from
March 10-15, 2015.
The delegation included representation from major private
sector interests in Trinidad & Tobago and potential avenues
were identified for doing business in and with Panama.
And for good reason:
·
Panama is among the most stable economies in Latin
America,
·
It is home to the second largest free trade zone after Hong
Kong;
·
It is an international banking centre and is also a financial
and communications hub;
·
It is a key member of the Central American Integration
System (SICA), and
·
Has been a strong and supportive ally of Trinidad and
Tobago.
CONCLUSION
As I conclude therefore, I trust that you will appreciate how
deeply committed Trinidad & Tobago is to preserving our
present relations, and pursuing new avenues to expand our
ties.
A journey that started 21 years ago has led us to today, and to
this moment, where we re-affirm our commitment, and recommit to working with you at every step of the way for a
better life and future of our peoples.
I thank you!
-Communications Unit
Office of the Prime Minister