Raphael John-Lall
As Venezuela celebrated its 212th Independence Day last Wednesday, Trade Minister Paula Gopee-Scoon expressed her wish that T&T and Venezuela expand their energy and trade ties.
“We have a history of co-operation in several sectors including energy, security, education, trade and culture. The most significant development, in recent times, is the commencement of negotiations to develop the Dragon gas field, which I am certain will accrue benefits to both of our economies and peoples. Additionally, from where I sit, I believe there is room for improving our trade realities beyond energy to include agriculture products, food and beverages and the creative industries.”
Gopee-Scoon spoke at a ceremony last Wednesday celebrating Venezuela’s 212th Declaration of Independence held at the Venezuelan Embassy, Victoria Avenue, Port-of-Spain.
She also said that Venezuela’s Independence Day and the arrival of senior Venezuelan Government officials last week coincided with Caricom’s 50th anniversary celebrations in T&T.
“We in T&T and indeed in the Caribbean Community are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Caricom. Our relationship has persevered through an evolving regional landscape and like those before us, we must use our strength in unity as a guidepost to enhance our bilateral relations, and in turn enhance our participation and strengthen our collaboration with other like-minded countries in regional fora.”
She added that both Venezuela and T&T also participate in regional bodies like the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), Latin American Economic System (SELA), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), the United Nations and other important international institutions and she is confident that these will continue to benefit the development of both countries.
Energy negotiations
Venezuela’s deputy Foreign Affairs Minister for the Caribbean, Raúl Li Causi, who also spoke at the event, thanked T&T for the role this country has played in “defending” its relationship with Venezuela over the Dragon Gas Field negotiations from U.S. Sanctions.
“The role of T&T and Caricom has been important in the fight for principles and from stopping the interference of the United States.”
Despite US sanctions and other challenges, he also promised that Venezuela will continue its energy co-operation with T&T.
“In terms of energy, I would like to highlight our unrestricted commitment to continue our cooperation with T&T in the development of the Dragon Gas Field in eastern Venezuela for the benefit of both of our people, in spite of relentless foreign interference.”
In the area of media and telecommunications, he said the Latin American news media network Telesur, in which the Venezuelan Government has shares, will embark on cooperation with T&T’s state-owned Trinidad and Tobago Television (TTT).
“Also, as we are speaking right now, Telesur and TTT, are about to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that would facilitate the exchange of television programmes and best practices, which in turn will enhance the knowledge and flow of information in the whole of the Latin American and Caribbean region.”
He added that both countries will expand ties in all areas.
“In addition to culture, T&T and Venezuela share a wide array of common interests in vital areas, such as energy, telecommunications, security, trade, commerce, agriculture, fishing and the environment, as well as in the multilateral arena.”
He also congratulated T&T and Caricom on its 50th anniversary.
“Indeed, not far from Port-of-Spain, in Chaguaramas, Caricom was born 50 years ago, as a beacon and a symbol for Caribbean integration, co-operation and solidarity, thanks to the vision of Caricom’s founding fathers: Errol Barrow from Barbados, Forbes Burnham from Guyana, Michael Manley from Jamaica and Dr Eric Williams from T&T.
“Only last week, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Caricom in Venezuela with a series of events, talks and cultural performances, where we were honoured to host the Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves. In my speech on the 50th anniversary of Caricom, I said that only when we unite, we can become truly free.”