Prime Minister Spencer (third from left) seated beside Prime Minister Dr. Lawrence Gonzi of Malta. High Commissioner Dr. Carl Roberts sits behind PM Spencer View photo »

Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda has termed the just concluded Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Malta as a success noting that two very important issues relevant to CARICOM were addressed. He said that multilateral trade and the vulnerability of small states were two of the issues which were seriously deliberated on and resulted in two powerful statements being issued.

"I think that under the circumstances, CARICOM could be satisfied because the issues that we wanted to bring to the fore at this meeting took place and CARICOM leaders were extremely active in the deliberations and we played a significant t part in ensuring that we had an input in these two important declarations. From that point of view I would want to believe that CARICOM is feeling reasonably satisfied that we have achieved our objectives," he said.

Prime Minister Spencer noted that with respect to multilateral trade, Heads made it clear that with the accelerating influence of globalization, trade issues can no longer be negotiated in isolation and that human security in its totality must be reflected in the outcomes of multilateral trade negotiations. He said that Heads concluded that weak vulnerable small states must benefit from an equitable share in the universally available opportunities provided through international trade.

It was also pointed out that the leaders called upon negotiators of small developing states at the WTO Ministerial Conference scheduled for Hong Kong in December to be flexible and to place priority on a genuinely development-oriented negotiations reaching agreement on all forms of subsidies by 2010 and for a significant improvement to market access by developing and small states into the developed countries.

The Prime Minster of Antigua and Barbuda also showered praise on Prime Minister of Jamaica P.J. Patterson who announced at CHOGM that it was his last meeting as he was preparing to retire from active politics.

"It was an interesting conference because one of the leading figures in the Caribbean and the Commonwealth made his final speech at the meeting. P.J. Patterson has made a significant contribution to the deliberations I want to compliment for the tremendous work that he has done on behalf of Jamaica, CARICOM and developing states throughout the Commonwealth," PM Spencer said.

He said that Patterson, who attended his first Commonwealth meeting in the 1970, was a well known international figure and has made significant contributions to world affairs. "I have had opportunities to work directly with PJ and I have found him to be genuine and committed about developmental issues as they relate to small states such as Antigua and Barbuda. I wish him well as he prepares to depart from direct political office," he stated.

The next Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting will be held in Uganda in 2007 while the 2009 meeting will be held in Trinidad and Tobago.

Prime Minister Spencer returns to Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday.

Digital photos by Maurice F. Merchant