Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Ronald Robinson (left) and head of Colombian delegation, Dr Camilo Reyes Rodriguez, who is also vice-minister in the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, exchange the joint statement they had signed on Tuesday afternoon at the Foreign Ministry in New Kingston. - Contributed

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Ronald Robinson says a new phase in the relationship between Jamaica and Colombia had been heralded by the start of discussions between the nations to arrive at an agreement on collaboration in the area of oil and gas exploration.

Robinson was launching discussions between representatives of Jamaica and Colombia at the Foreign Ministry in Kingston on Tuesday morning. The talks were aimed at establishing modalities, in order to negotiate an agreement on the sharing of resources and information with respect to facilitating the exploration for hydrocarbon (oil and gas). This activity is to be carried out in the Joint Regime Area which was established under a Maritime Delimitation Treaty between the two countries, signed on November 12, 1993.

Collaboration

Pointing out that the increasing demand for oil and other factors, continued to drive the prices on the world market to unprecedented levels, Robinson, who led Jamaica's delegation, said there was a need for increased levels of cooperation and collaboration among developing countries in the quest for cheaper and new sources of energy.

Against this background, he said it was most gratifying that representatives of the governments of Jamaica and Colombia would be initiating discussions on how to build on the historic Maritime Delimitation Agreement by way of exchanging views on the possibilities for the exploration of hydrocarbon (oil and gas) resources in the Joint Regime Area.

Conserve and protect

Jamaica's position on issues relating to the exploration of resources in the Joint Regime Area would be informed by a keen appreciation of the overarching need to conserve and protect the marine environment as provided for under the terms of the United Nations Convention on The Law of The Sea. Jamaica was also committed to the promotion of measures to ensure sustainable fisheries.

Robinson said he hoped the deliberations would be constructive and fruitful, representing yet another significant step in Jamaica/Colombia relations.

In his contribution, Leader of the Colombian delegation, Ambassador Dr. Camilo Reyes Rodriguez, who is also vice-minister in the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also spoke of the good relations enjoyed between both countries.

He said he was confident that the discussions would be fruitful and contribute further to the strengthening of the relationship.

The day's deliberations were climaxed by Dr Robinson and Dr Rodriguez signing a joint statement which stated, inter alia, that the deliberations should continue with a view to concluding an agreement as soon as possible. The modalities are to be determined.

Other members of the Jamaican delegation comprised representatives of the Petroleum Corporation of Jamaica, the Attorney General's Department, Bauxite Alumina Trading Company, Fisheries Division and Marine Branch Ministry of Agriculture, ministries of Energy, Mining and Telecommunications, and Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.

Colombian Ambassador Dr Ventura Emilio Diaz Mejia was also a member of his country's delegation, which included representatives of his country's government agencies and the embassy in St Andrew.