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UK appoints first Ambassador to CARICOM

Jan 24, 2009 News

The Government of the United Kingdom is keen on helping to build the Region’s capacity to tackle crime.
This is according to the Honourable Fraser Wheeler, who yesterday presented his credentials as Plenipotentiary Representative of the United Kingdom to CARICOM Secretary-General Dr Edwin Carrington.
He is the first such representative from the UK to CARICOM.
Wheeler is also the United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Guyana.
In his remarks following the formalities, Wheeler said the United Kingdom and CARICOM had a “joint shared interest” in confronting crime and security, and that his government “remains keen” on helping to build the Region’s capacity to tackle crime.”
 Wheeler hailed the partnership between the UK and CARICOM on security during the Cricket World Cup in 2007 as a “great success…one that needed to be solidified to take forward action in this area of crime and security.”
He reassured Dr Carrington of his commitment to the process, and expressed hope that the two parties could work together to achieve those goals.
Commenting on the “extraordinary relationship” between the UK and the Caribbean,” the UK representative said it was “characterised by evolution from dependence to independence and partnership.” The relationship had matured to one of “mutual interest, respect and support; underpinned by shared values, understanding and real affection,” he added.
Those factors, the ambassador said, were “powerful tools” with which both the UK and CARICOM could “confront challenges and take opportunities together in this increasingly complex world.”
Wheeler also reaffirmed his government’s support to the Region’s economic development, stating that the British Government was determined to partner with CARICOM to manage risks and take opportunities to attain sustainable economic growth. Dr Carrington pointed out that CARICOM, over the years, had received “significant development support” from the British Government.
He highlighted the UK’s Department for International Development (DFID) programme of cooperation and its pledge of £10M  towards the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF) — a critical development mechanism to support disadvantaged countries and sectors within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
He added, also, that the British Government had offered another £10M to create a Challenge Fund in support of Caribbean entrepreneurship and innovations.
For those contributions, he told Wheeler, the Region was “deeply appreciative.” Notwithstanding, Dr Carrington pointed out, there was still need for enhanced relations, especially in the wake of widening economic gaps between developing and developed nations, and the global economic and financial crisis.
Wheeler did note that his government had recognised that sustainable economic growth in the Region will be a challenging feat in the current economic recession; but he added: “It can and will be done.”
He added that the British Government had “committed significant resources” and was “determined to make a success of the Economic Partnership Agreement,” which was entered into last year between the Caribbean Forum of African, Caribbean and Pacific Countries (CARIFORUM) and the European Union (EU).
This, he said, will require a “dynamic and innovative working partnership between the European Union and CARICOM.”

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