Tweet
T&T ready to change course, Nicholson says
Balford Henry
Saturday, July 13, 2013
TRINIDAD and Tobago is about to "change course" as far as its energy-based relationship with the Caribbean Community (Caricom) is concerned, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator A J Nicholson told the Senate yesterday.
"It is my educated view that, in the not too distant future, Jamaica and the rest of Caricom are going to hear from Trinidad as to how they intend to change course, in some way, as far as the Caricom energy [situation] and Trinidad is concerned," he said.
(L-R) TUFTON… it is encouraging, very encouraging. NICHOLSON… please don’t ask me to go any further now
1/1
Senator Nicholson, who was responding to questions from his Opposition counterpart, Dr Christopher Tufton, however, declined to give further details.
"Please don't ask me to go any further now, but I will just put that out as a signal," he urged Senator Tufton.
He said that the issue was raised "frontally" at a recent meeting and that the results have raised the Government's optimism about a resolution of the differences between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago on the energy issue.
Dr Tufton, who only last week disclosed that the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) favours a suspension of Jamaica's relationship with Caricom until the various issues are settled, welcomed the announcement.
"It is encouraging, very encouraging," Tufton said in response to Nicholson's statement.
"You know the position on this side, and we have been saying that all along. There is a timeline on patience, however," the Opposition spokesman added.
He said that the minister could offer more encouragement by enlightening the Senate on whether or not the talks started in Port-of-Spain will continue, and when will the country get clarity on the issue. "We on this side are ready to engage and support whatever initiative that will create a level playfield within Caricom," he said.
Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago signed a memorandum of understanding in November 2004 for the supply of 1.1 million tonnes of LNG per annum over a 20-year period from Port-of-Spain to Kingston. However, the arrangements did not materialise, as Trinidad said it did not have enough energy to supply Jamaica's needs.
The JLP and vocal members of the local private sector have been supporting Jamaica taking a "time out" from Caricom, which was allowable under the treaty, until differences, including a US$1 billion adverse balance of payment bill and Trinidad's concessionary energy arrangements with its manufacturers which has made Jamaica goods significantly uncompetitive are settled.
Jamaica's "time out" lobby insists that the move would help Jamaica overcome its fiscal crisis, while those opposed to it were adamant that it would worsen, as Jamaica would still have to meet the balance of payment deficit of close to US$1 billion.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller last week attended the meeting of the Caricom Heads of Government in Port of Spain, which marked the 40th anniversary of the regional body. The meeting was also attended by Danilo Medina, president of the Dominican Republic, and Nicolás Maduro, president of Venezuela.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...#ixzz2YvLIE8tB
Balford Henry
Saturday, July 13, 2013
TRINIDAD and Tobago is about to "change course" as far as its energy-based relationship with the Caribbean Community (Caricom) is concerned, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator A J Nicholson told the Senate yesterday.
"It is my educated view that, in the not too distant future, Jamaica and the rest of Caricom are going to hear from Trinidad as to how they intend to change course, in some way, as far as the Caricom energy [situation] and Trinidad is concerned," he said.
(L-R) TUFTON… it is encouraging, very encouraging. NICHOLSON… please don’t ask me to go any further now
1/1
Senator Nicholson, who was responding to questions from his Opposition counterpart, Dr Christopher Tufton, however, declined to give further details.
"Please don't ask me to go any further now, but I will just put that out as a signal," he urged Senator Tufton.
He said that the issue was raised "frontally" at a recent meeting and that the results have raised the Government's optimism about a resolution of the differences between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago on the energy issue.
Dr Tufton, who only last week disclosed that the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) favours a suspension of Jamaica's relationship with Caricom until the various issues are settled, welcomed the announcement.
"It is encouraging, very encouraging," Tufton said in response to Nicholson's statement.
"You know the position on this side, and we have been saying that all along. There is a timeline on patience, however," the Opposition spokesman added.
He said that the minister could offer more encouragement by enlightening the Senate on whether or not the talks started in Port-of-Spain will continue, and when will the country get clarity on the issue. "We on this side are ready to engage and support whatever initiative that will create a level playfield within Caricom," he said.
Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago signed a memorandum of understanding in November 2004 for the supply of 1.1 million tonnes of LNG per annum over a 20-year period from Port-of-Spain to Kingston. However, the arrangements did not materialise, as Trinidad said it did not have enough energy to supply Jamaica's needs.
The JLP and vocal members of the local private sector have been supporting Jamaica taking a "time out" from Caricom, which was allowable under the treaty, until differences, including a US$1 billion adverse balance of payment bill and Trinidad's concessionary energy arrangements with its manufacturers which has made Jamaica goods significantly uncompetitive are settled.
Jamaica's "time out" lobby insists that the move would help Jamaica overcome its fiscal crisis, while those opposed to it were adamant that it would worsen, as Jamaica would still have to meet the balance of payment deficit of close to US$1 billion.
Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller last week attended the meeting of the Caricom Heads of Government in Port of Spain, which marked the 40th anniversary of the regional body. The meeting was also attended by Danilo Medina, president of the Dominican Republic, and Nicolás Maduro, president of Venezuela.
Read more: http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/...#ixzz2YvLIE8tB
Comment