LULAPRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson has highlighted the significance of the support given to Caribbean Community (CARICOM) by countries such as Brazil in various international trade negotiating arenas.
Mr. Patterson, who has responsibility for external negotiations, made the comment during an exchange of views between Heads of Government of CARICOM and President Lula da Silva of Brazil, at the 16th Inter-sessional meeting in Suriname on Wednesday.
Mr. Patterson said the problems faced by developing countries could not be ignored, adding that the stance and support of Brazil, India and China on matters of importance to developing countries have made a demonstrable difference in the outcome of recent trade negotiations.
In response to questions raised by Jamaican Prime Minister Patterson about the future of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations, of which Brazil is a co-chair with the United States, the Brazilian officials indicated that they were hopeful that discussions between Brazil and the U.S. would resume in a matter of weeks.
