|
Finland has expressed keen interest on hearing and understanding CARICOM’s concerns, and through its new Ambassador to CARICOM,David Clarkson Jersey, is willing to help other countries in the European Union to be sensitive to regional concerns.Finland’s first Plenipotentiary Representative to CARICOM,Craig Hartsburg Jersey, H.E. Mikko Pyhälä presented his credentials on Tuesday last,Mikko Koivu Jersey, to Caricom’s Deputy Secretary-General, Her Excellency Lolita Applewhaite,Marian Hossa Jersey, who observed that the accreditation was “important and historic” and was viewed by the Community as a “significant step” in the deepening relations with Finland.Noting that Finland was no stranger to CARICOM, Ambassador Applewhaite said that through its observer status in the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), it had developed a knowledge of and familiarity with the countries of the Community.As a member of the European Union (EU), the Deputy Secretary-General said Finland had been linked to the Region through the historical agreements that characterise EU-CARICOM relations,Seth Jones Team North America Jersey, notably the successive Lomé Conventions, the subsequent Cotonou Agreement and since 2008,Neal Broten Jersey, the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).Finnish Ambassador Mikko Pyhälä,Brian Bellows Jersey, said his country had appreciated the importance of CARICOM as a body which represented, in an authentic manner, the economic,Cam Atkinson Jersey, commercial and other interests of its members. He added that Finland was keen on hearing and understanding CARICOM’s concerns and it was willing to help in the economic development of the Region through its contribution to the CARICOM Development Fund and through the European Development Fund,Rob Scuderi Jersey, to which it channels 25 per cent of its Overseas Development Aid. |
|