MINSK, 21 January (BelTA) – Belarus officially received an observer status in the Association of Caribbean States during the 21st meeting of the Council of Ministers of the Association, spokesman for the Belarusian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Dmitry Mironchik told media on 21 January, BelTA has learned.
According to the press secretary, Belarus' joining the Association as an observer member provides an opportunity to expand trade and economic cooperation with the member states of the Association which total population exceeds 237 million.
“Cuba's chairmanship in the Association in 2016 open up wide opportunities for Belarusian companies,” said Dmitry Mironchik.
In his words, Belarus uses its observer status in regional organizations for the maximum advancement of its national interests as well as the interests of Belarusian exporters to distant countries. In particular, Belarus' focused efforts earned the country an observer status in such prestigious international organizations as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.
The Association of Caribbean States was founded in 1995 as a coordinating organization in strengthening the role of business circles of the region in political and economic talks. The Association hosts forums and consultations on developing cooperation in the economic, technical, cultural, tourism and transport sectors.
Among the member states of the Association are 25 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, including Cuba, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela. The observer status has been so far presented to 20 countries, among which is Russia, Ukraine, the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, Finland and others. The secretariat of the Association is headquartered in Port of Spain (Trinidad and Tobago).
