Good afternoon everyone,
I am honoured to extend on behalf of Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley, Prime Minister and the Government and people of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, congratulatory greetings on the auspicious occasion of the 206th Anniversary of the Independence of the United Mexican States.
Your Excellency, as you celebrate your first Independence Day as Ambassador of the United Mexican States to Trinidad and Tobago, I would like to welcome you, Mrs. Carbonell and your family, once again to our shores and to wish you every success during your tenure in Trinidad and Tobago.
Your Excellency, it gives me great pleasure to acknowledge that this year Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico will celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. It is with great pride that we reflect on a half of a century of cordial relations which we have enjoyed since the establishment of diplomatic relations with Mexico in 1966.
Trinidad and Tobago considers this a truly historic occasion, as our long standing relations have been governed by shared values of democracy, high levels of political and technical cooperation, and above all, a profound and abiding desire to foster a deeper relationship between our nations.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is grateful for the enthusiasm of the Government of Mexico in implementing a number of initiatives to commemorate this significant milestone. Trinidad and Tobago was honoured to collaborate with the Embassy of Mexico in the hosting of a photographic exhibition which featured the work of a talented artist, Mara Sánchez-Renero, at the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) from June 28th to July 15th of this year.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago was also pleased to partner with the Embassy of Mexico in facilitating a painting competition among primary schools entitled, “Mexico a Caribbean country”. We look forward to receiving the Mexican 2017 calendars which will feature the painting of the winner of the competition, 9-year-old Kiara Alexander of Curepe Presbyterian School.
Your Excellency, I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to strengthening our ties further and to achieving even greater milestones bilaterally and within the multilateral sphere.
It is worth highlighting that over the years Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico have collaborated in the fields of education, security, agriculture, culture and tourism which have benefitted both countries. I am pleased to announce that this year officials from Trinidad and Tobago participated in two (2) training programmes offered by the Government of Mexico; a regional seminar on Water Resource Management and a workshop to establish a National Biodiversity Information System. Such engagements have not only served to develop technical capacity but also brought our people together and strengthened our bonds of friendship.
Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in addition to the bilateral partnership it is also important to recognize Mexico’s significant support at the hemispheric and international levels. As Headquarters of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), Trinidad and Tobago is especially appreciative of the support of the Government of Mexico to this organization. Mexico’s recent increased contribution to the ACS will impact positively on the sustainability and advancement of the organization as it strives towards fostering regional integration.
In addition to the ACS, Trinidad and Tobago and Mexico continue to interface and collaborate in multilateral fora such as the United Nations (UN), the Organization of American States (OAS) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) based on our shared values and principles.
With respect to the OAS, please allow me to congratulate Mexico on its selection as the host of the 47th Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States which is scheduled to take place in 2017. This is tangible proof of your country’s commitment to furthering hemispheric cooperation. In this regard, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago also wishes to place on record its appreciation for Mexico’s keen interest and support for the XII Conference of Defence Ministers (CDMA), which will be hosted by Trinidad and Tobago from October 10th to 12th, 2016. We also wish to acknowledge Mexico as the host of the 13th Conference of Defence Ministers which will take place in 2018. These undertakings are a clear testimony of the Government of Mexico’s commitment to engaging in meaningful dialogue towards the strengthening of the region.
In closing, I wish to extend once again, on behalf of the Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, sincere congratulations to the Government and people of Mexico on this significant day.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I now invite you to join me in a toast towards the continued progress and prosperity of Mexico and to the enhancement of the strong ties that bind our two countries together.
Thank you.
