Grenada happy with ties with Venezuela

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Parent Category: Oct 2011

Category: Week ending Oct 15th, 2011

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Grenada is playing a key role in the preparatory meetings for the Summit of Latin America and the Caribbean, which will be held in Venezuela from December 2-3.

 Word of this has come from resident Venezuelan Ambassador to Grenada, Carlos Perez while speaking at a sod-turning ceremony to mark the restart of work on the stalled St. George’s Market Square Development Project.

 According to Ambassador Perez, it is hoped that during the hemispheric meeting the Community of Latin America and Caribbean States (CELAC) will be created.

 Although he said, the move should be seen as part of the process of integration, the envoy from Caracas pointed out that CELAC is not just another regional organisation, but rather a political block where “we strengthen the historical ties that make Latin Americans and Caribbean people one and unique people”.

 Ambassador Perez disclosed that this year Venezuela and Grenada would celebrate 34 years of having diplomatic relations.

 The ties were first established by the Grenada United Labour Party (GULP) government of late Prime Minister, Sir Eric Matthew Gairy.

 The diplomat noted that Grenada, which has worked very closely with Venezuela in various international forums, can be considered as an important partner for Caracas.

 The Ambassador said Grenada has been participating as an observer in meetings of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our Americas (ALBA), and it is hoped that in the near future St. George’s can become a full member of the pact.

 Prime Minister Tillman Thomas who was present at the function is said to be cautious on the ALBA initiative while some members of his Cabinet especially Tourism Minister, Peter David is clamouring for full membership of ALBA.

 The pro-David supporters believe that the island stands to benefit from more petro dollars from Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez similar to the aid given to full members, Dominica and St. Vincent & The Grenadines.

 Government insiders have said that PM Thomas is adopting the position that if Venezuela wants to give aid to the Caribbean, it should not be tied to membership of ALBA.

 In his address at the sod-turning ceremony, the Grenadian leader said that his government has always cherished the relationship it has with Venezuela.

 According to Prime Minister Thomas, the English-speaking Caribbean is now moving to strengthen the existing relationship with the entire Latin American region.

 He said that historically, the region’s connection has been with North America and Europe, but in recent times the Caribbean countries have been seeking to strengthen the relationship with Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and the entire Latin American block of countries.

 The Prime Minister’s sentiments of co-operation with Venezuela was echoed by Tourism Minister Peter David who said that during his stint as Minister of Foreign Affairs, he was happy to have cooperated with Venezuela in many international forums.

 Grenada currently benefits from the PetroCaribe Agreement with Venezuela.

 Through the agreement that was signed on June 29, 2005, Venezuela is providing Grenada with over 781 barrels of diesel to the Grenada Electricity Services Limited (GRENLEC) for the supply of electricity.

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