Message to be delivered by Ms. Reita Toussaint, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Ag.) on the occasion of the celebration of the National Day of the Argentine Republic, on Tuesday 12th July, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel
Good evening,
It is a pleasure for me to extend on behalf of the Government and people of Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, congratulatory greetings to the Government and people of the Argentine Republic on the commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the Formal Declaration of Independence, proclaimed in the Province of Tucuman o the 9th of July 1816.
Fifty-two years ago, the “land of the Trinity” formalized its relations with the “land of the silver” when they agreed to establish diplomatic relations on the 30th October, 1964. Two nations separated by approximately 3,382 miles (5,442 kilometres), embarked upon a journey which has been characterized by mutual respect, deepening friendship and increased co-operation.
Trinidad and Tobago’s friendship with Argentina has led to a number of initiatives and different levels of cooperation over the years in areas such as trade, science and technology, phytosanitary and animal health, and disaster preparedness and management and i is anticipated that Trinidad and Tobago and Argentina will commence negotiations on a Draft Tax Information Exchange Agreement (TIEA) within the upcoming year.
Madame Chargé d’Affaires a.i., your country continues to demonstrate its commitment to South-South cooperation and has generously offered training courses and scholarships to our nationals. Argentina has also taken a particular interest in the welfare of our youth, and this has been reflected in the care and attention given to the pupils of the Buenos Ayres Government Primary School in Point Fortin, and to the students of Atwell’s Educational Institute in Trincity. Very close ties have been fostered with the children and the teachers of the schools. This is a clear indication of people to people impact and I am confident that the children would have been inspired by the continuous engagement with the Argentine Embassy and that you have encouraged their love for and interest in Argentina, Latin America and the Spanish language.
Argentina has been blessed with ample and varied natural resources. It is known for its music and dance, striking tourist sights, beautiful landforms such as the Iguazu Falls, which it shares with Brazil, and for producing soccer legends. I have also been pleasantly surprised to learn that the young Argentine women are quite deft in the sport of hockey. In this vein, I wish to take this opportunity to pause and to congratulate “Las Leoncitas” - the Lioness Cubs from Argentina, for having won the 2016 Pan American Junior Hockey Championship for Women, which was hosted by Trinidad and Tobago from 31 March - 9 April, 2016.
Citizens of this country were treated to Argentine dining at its finest, when the Argentine Embassy hosted a Food Festival at the Hyatt Regency in Trinidad in September, 2015, which included a spectacular Tango presentation. Trinidad and Tobago was also delighted to have hosted an exhibit of the work of prominent Argentine photographic artist, Alejandro Marmo, at the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus, in November of last year. From the 23rd of April to 1st of May, 2016, we welcomed the participation of Argentina in the Latin American and Caribbean Literary Film Festival held at the NALIS Library, with the screening of the film Historias de Cronopios y de Famas which was directed and produced by Julio Ludueña.
On a regional and international level, Trinidad and Tobago and Argentina have had exchanges within structures such as the Organization of American States (OAS), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the United Nations (UN). We have noted that Argentina has remained steadfast in its commitment to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and we were also pleased to learn that the Ministry of External Affairs and Worship of Argentina has now created a new Directorate for the English-speaking CARICOM countries.
Cooperation, collaboration and the sharing of experiences, are tools in bolstering bilateral relationships. Our shared objectives and values over the years have served to foster dialogue and collaboration to the mutual benefit of both our countries. It is our expectation that we will continue in our unwavering commitment to each other and that we will continue to explore ways to deepen and to expand our bilateral partnership.
Madame Chargé d’Affaires a.i., I am informed that Friendship Day (Día del Amigo) will be celebrated next week Wednesday in Argentina. It is only fitting that you should celebrate your National Day in Trinidad andTobago among friends.
Therefore, it is an honour and pleasure on behalf of the Government and people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to extend best wishes once again to the Government and people of the Argentine Republic as you celebrate your National Day.
Ladies and gentlemen, I wish to invite you to join me in a toast to the Government and People of the Argentine Republic on the occasion of their National Day. ! Salud !
Thank you very much.
