RECENT MEETINGS AND VISITS
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)- July 21st, 2008.
Meeting with a high level-delegation of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The delegation was led by Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, President of the ECOWAS Commission, and also comprised Ministers of Energy and Finance among others, from the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Republic of Cote d' Ivoire and the Republic of Ghana. The meeting focused on Trinidad and Tobago's Gas and Energy Sectors for which the ECOWAS delegation conducted an Energy Study Tour on.
- Briefing Session for Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Team- JUly 10th, 2008.
Meeting. The Bilateral Relations Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a briefing session on July 10, 2008 for members of the Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Team. The purpose of the session was to apprise the team of the diplomatic relations between the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the People's Republic of China, as well as to provide background on the political issues surrounding the Beijing Olympics.
The comprehensive programme titled, "Countdown to Beijing" provided a general overview of bilateral relations between the two countries, a presentation on political issues surrounding the Olympic Games and a panel discussion on Trinidad and Tobago's athletes as ambassadors.
Another important item on the programme was the presentation by Mr. Li Zhenching, First Secretary for Culture at Embassy of the People's Republic of China. Mr. Li Zhenching provided an overview of his country's history, culture, preparation for hosting of the Olympics and ended by conducting some Chinese language classes.
- United States of America - June 25th, 2008.
Courtesy Call by Ambassador Craig Kelly, US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs to the Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Discussons were extremely cordial and included among other areas co-operation in the energy sector, long standing historic and cultural links and security issues coming out of the recent Technical Meeting of Military Commanders in Port of Spain. Some of the issues discussed centered on Trinidad and Tobago's preparation for the Fifth Summit of the Americas as well as the extension of the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery (CBERA) beyond 2008, and the extension of the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI).
- People's Republic of China - June 25th - 27th, 2008.
Official Visit - His Excellency He Guoqiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Delegation, paid an Official Visit to the
His Excellency led a delegation of 52 persons on this visit, the purpose of which was twofold:
- To strengthen bilateral relations between the
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the People’s Republic of China; and - To sign the following Agreements:
- A Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing the Joint Committee on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Government of the People’s Republic of China. The Honourable
Minister of Foreign Affairs and H.E Huang Xing, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Trinidad and Tobago signed this agreement.
- A Memorandum of Understanding on Establishing the Joint Committee on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and the Government of the People’s Republic of China. The Honourable
- Exchange of Letters on the provision by the Government of the People’s Republic of
China of a Linear Accelerator X-Ray Scanning and Radiation Detection System to the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago under an interest free loan of 20 million RMB Yuan (16 million TTD).
- Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago represented by the Ministry of Finance and the Export-Import Bank of China. The Honourable Minister of Finance and Mr. Li Ruogu, Chairman and President of the Export-Import Bank of China both signed this Agreement.
- The Buyer’s Credit Loan Agreement on the Aluminium Smelter Project (ALUTRINT Project). The Honourable
Minister of Finance and Mr. Li Ruogu, Chairman and President of the Export-Import Bank of China signed this Agreement.
The
- United Nations Country Team - June 2, 2008.
Meeting with Representatives of the United Nations System based in Port of Spain, and The Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon Minister of Foreign Affairs, to discuss current programmes and activities being pursued in Trinidad and Tobago and prospects for enhanced involvement by the Organization in the development process in the nation.
Discussions were productive and a presentation was made by Dr. Marcia de Castro, Resident Coordinator of the United Nations System and Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the business and competitive advantages of the United Nations and the processes undertaken by the Organization to ensure national content in the identification of priorities for United Nations programmes and activities in the country.
The Honourable Minister and the Representatives shared the perspective that Government and the United Nations Country Team must explore avenues for enhanced coordination and closer cooperation, in order to increase the effectiveness of this long-standing relationship and maximize the benefits of the presence of the Organization to the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
- Namibia - May 20, 2008.
Courtesy Call by His Excellency Dr. Kaire Munionganda Mbuende, the new non-resident High Commissioner for the Republic of Namibia; to The Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Discussed matters relating to the strengthening of relations between Trinidad and Tobago and Namibia.
At this time, several prospects exist for enhanced cooperation between both countries particularly in training of human resource personnel and in the energy sector, as exploration of Namibia's natural gas reserves is a feature if that country's economic drive.
- OAS - April 29, 2008.
Courtesy Call by the new Representative in Trinidad and Tobago for the Organisation of American States (OAS), Dr. Rijad Insanally; to The Hon. Paula Gopee-Scoon Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of presenting his letter of accreditation.
During his appointment, Dr. Insanally will assist the Government of Trinidad and Tobago and the National Summit Secretariat with preparations for the hosting of the Fifth Summit of the Americas to be held in 2009.
- Venezuela – April 15, 2008.
Courtesy Call by the outgoing and new Chargee` d` Affaires, Ms. Christy Gonzalez and Mr. Jose` Salvuchy respectively, of the Embassy of the
Discussions included possible cooperation in establishing a diplomatic institute in
- Switzerland- April 4, 2008.
Courtesy call by Ambassador designate, Mr. Armin Ritz to The Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of his presentation of Credentials. He was accompanied by his wife and the Swiss Honorary Consul Michele Khan.
Briefly discussed possible areas of further cooperation between Trinidad and Tobago and Switzerland.
- France- February 25, 2008.
Meeting with French Chargé d’Affaires Mr. Yves Drillet, and The Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to follow-up on cooperation efforts between Trinidad and Tobago and France in the fields of education, defense, trade and investment and culture.
Italy– December 7, 2007.
Occasion – Presentation of Credentials. Meeting with Ambassador-designate Luigi Maccotta, First Secretary Dr. Marco Petacco Honorary Consul Stephen Webster, and The Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
- France – December 5, 2007.
Courtesy Call by outgoing French Ambassador Charley Causeret to The Honourable Paula Gopee-Scoon, Minister of Foreign Affairs..
Discussed the developmental initiatives pursued by Ambassador during his tenure.
