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INSULZA: THE ECONOMIC CRISIS WILL BE ADDRESSED BY THE 34 HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE HEMISPHERE DURING THE SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, announced today that “the key topic of the economic crisis” will be addressed by the 34 Heads of State and Government of the continent when they meet in the V Summit of the Americas, which will take place between in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on April 17 -19.

At the inauguration of the Third Ordinary Session of 2009 of the Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG) that brings together negotiators of the OAS Member States to debate the content of the Draft Declaration of Commitment of Port-of Spain, Insluza stated that the Heads of State and Government will consider the effects of the global financial and economic crisis on the region.

“We would like to have a declaration soon, so that the Heads of State and Government can read and examine it before attending the Summit; especially as there will be necessary modifications, after the G20 meeting ( that will be held in London on April 2nd), on the big topic about the economic crisis,” expressed Insulza to the negotiators.

In his intervention at the SIRG meeting, Insulza informed the delegates of the Member States about the results of his visit last week to Trinidad and Tobago, where he met with Prime Minister Patrick Manning, and with members of his cabinet to learn about the preliminary work that is being done in preparation for the V Summit of the Americas.

“I want to thank the Prime Minister and his Government, as well as the office of National Coordination for my visit to Trinidad and Tobago a couple of days ago. I want to inform you that it was a pleasant, productive but especially, stimulating visit. I met with the Prime Minister and his ministers, who are most involved with the Summit’s themes and my impression with regards to the preparations of the Summit in Trinidad and Tobago is excellent,” declared the leader of the top hemispheric institution.

“I believe that I can assert with certainty, from what I have seen, that the facilities are excellent, those for the inaugural session, the plenary session, and the Heads of State and Governments’ retreat, as well as the delegations’ offices that will be available during their visit. Therefore, I am convinced that it will be a very productive Summit” stated the Secretary General.

On the other hand, the National Coordinator and Special Envoy for the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago, Luis Alberto Rodriguez, stressed that Insulza’s visit to the country “was very welcomed and very important to go over some important logistic aspects.”

Rodriguez, who acts as President of the GRIC, informed that the National Coordinators, who are meeting during this week to continue with the negotiations of the Draft Declaration of Commitment of Port-of-Spain, will focus their debate on the paragraphs that refer to strengthening of the hemisphere’s democratic governance, and the follow-up, implementation and effectiveness of the Summits of the Americas and its mandates.

The Draft Declaration of Commitment of Port-of-Spain is entitled: “Securing Our Citizens’ Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability”. The document will be submitted for consideration of the Heads of State and Government of the 34 OAS Member States during the Summit, in Trinidad and Tobago.

Reference: E-054/09