BELIZE HOSTS SECOND CARICOM-SICA SUMMIT

UNCLAS BELMOPAN 000346 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN//JASON MACK E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ETRD ENRG KCRM BH SUBJECT: BELIZE HOSTS SECOND CARICOM-SICA SUMMIT ¶1. Summary: Belize hosted the Second Caribbean Community (CARICOM) ? Central American Integration System (SICA) summit in Belize City on May 12, 2007. Topics discussed included trade liberalization, social and cultural issues, energy, security, and governance. The group agreed to meet every two years; the next Summit was scheduled for Nicaragua on May 22-23, ¶2009. End Summary. ¶2. On May 12, Belize hosted the CARICOM-SICA heads of state in Belize City. Dignitaries included Prime Ministers from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Grenada, and Presidents from Guatemala, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. ¶3. The group agreed to instruct their respective Trade Ministers to initiate discussions on a free trade agreement between CARICOM and SICA. The agreement would be built on the CARICOM-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement framework. They also agreed to convene a high- level meeting in Honduras on environment and disaster preparedness. ¶4. Discussions concerning climate change led to a general agreement to intensify efforts to combat and mitigate potential negative effects of climate change on the countries of both regions. The parties also committed to strengthening cooperation in health and hoped to develop a common strategy on confronting HIV-AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. ¶5. The parties agreed to establish a mechanism for information sharing in an effort to combat transnational organized crime, illicit trafficking in arms, and drug trafficking. They committed their governments to condemn all acts of terrorism and to fight corruption by implementing the commitments made during the twelfth International Anticorruption Conference held in Guatemala City in November 2006. ¶6. Leaders of both regions agreed to promote cooperation between CARICOM and SICA in the field of regional energy security. They plan to accomplish this goal through the diversification of energy sources as well as energy conservation, strategic alliances, and harmonization of regional energy policies. ¶7. The Heads of State and Government agreed to meet every two years, alternating the venue between CARICOM and SICA. The Third CARICOM ? SICA Summit is scheduled to be held in Nicaragua on May 22-23, 2009. ¶8. Comment. The summit did not produce any substantial agreements; rather it served as a venue for discussions and a platform for generalized commitments. However, the meeting helped establish relationships that may strengthen the group?s ability to act together on future international issues. End Comment. DIETER