PORT OF SPAIN: 10TH NOVEMBER 2025
The Honourable Wilfred Nicholas Morris M.P, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs and the Office of the Prime Minister, while delivering Trinidad and Tobago's National Statement as Head of Delegation at the IV CELAC-EU SUMMIT in Santa Marta, Colombia told Members of Governments from the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean that Trinidad and Tobago does not exist in a zone of peace due to the major effects of narco-trafficking and transnational crime and urged leaders to collaborate in pursuing more effective measures in the shared fight against these activities.
Parliamentary Secretary Morris also told the CELAC-EU Summit that Trinidad and Tobago believes that peace is a supreme asset and a legitimate aspiration of all people. However, while our twin-island Republic has maintained this aspirational goal as originally conceptualised, in the context of the reality faced by Trinidad and Tobago over the past two (2) decades, it is the Government of Trinidad and Tobago’s view that Trinidad and Tobago does not currently exist in a zone of peace, given the disproportionate impact of transnational crime in the region and more specifically, within Trinidad and Tobago with respect to narco and human trafficking and its impact on our daily realities.
The Parliamentary Secretary also called for reform of the international financial architecture and the rules as they apply to vulnerable states. He reiterated that developing countries and more pointedly, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) have particular vulnerabilities due to the vagaries of climate change, economic shocks and owing to their small size. Yet the gap between access to finance for advanced economies and developing countries continues to widen. He stated that this needs to be urgently addressed to ensure greater inclusivity and equity, taking into account the uniqueness of SIDS.
The Member of Parliament for Mayaro also expressed solidarity with the countries devastated by Hurricane Melissa, in particular the CARICOM nations of Jamaica and Haiti, as well as Cuba.
The Summit is being hosted by the President of Colombia and includes the President of Brazil and President of the European Council; Prime Ministers of Belgium; The Netherlands and St Kitts and Nevis; as well as Foreign Ministers from other CELAC and EU States.
