TOAST FOR LUNCHEON HOSTED BY
THE RT. HON. P. J. PATTERSON
PRIME MINISTER OF JAMAICA
IN HONOUR OF
PRESIDENT CARLOS SAUL MENEM
Your Excellency, President Menem,
This is indeed a special moment for me, providing as it
does, the opportunity to reciprocate the warm hospitality
that was bestowed upon me when I visited the Argentine
Republic in 1992.
I am delighted that you have found it possible to come to
Jamaica on this your first visit to the Caribbean.
Mr. President,
Thirty five years ago Jamaica and Argentina, established
diplomatic relations.
✓
Su
UWI LIBRARIES
In 1965, Argentina became the first country of the Latin
American and Caribbean region to establish a resident
Mission in our country. Since then, our relations have
grown from strength to strength.
our two countries share common ideals, principles and
goals. we are bound by our commitment to peace,
democracy and the rule of law; but our unwavering
dedication to achieving greater prosperity for our
peoples and by our common concern to promote
regional and hemispheric integration and a transparent
and equitable multilateral system, including in the area of
trade.
our bilateral relations have been strengthened
substantially over the years. Jamaica has benefitted
significantly from our bilateral arrangements through the
Agency for Horizontal cooperation. There are ongoing
projects in the areas of agriculture, education and, trade
promotion, among others.
UWI LIBRARIES
The fast approaching millennium poses many challenges
for the global community and in particular, for
developing countries. on the very threshold, we have
witnessed the dramatic collapse of economic models
which were long recommended for our growth. we are
moving relentlessly to an increasingly liberalised and
globalised system with its risks for smaller, vulnerable
economies, as well as for least developed sectors of other
countries. It will be to our peril if we do not heed the
warnings signs in Asia, Eastern Europe and even in our
own hemisphere.
A major challenge ahead of us, is the need to ensure that
multilateral institutions become more responsive to and
mindful of the needs of developing countries. The WTO,
the IMF, the world Bank come to mind in this regard. our
two countries and others of the Third world must
combine our efforts to this end.
we note, with pleasure, that Argentina is poised to
assume a non-permanent seat on the United Nations
UWI LIBRARIES
security council at the start of 1999. Jamaica looks
forward to Argentina's tenure, knowing that you, in
conjunction with Brazil, will provide effective joint
representation on the council for the Latin American and
Caribbean region.
Should Jamaica be successful in its bid for a seat on the
council for the period 2000-2001, and I believe we shall be,
our joint representation on the council, will also provide
an opportunity to strengthen our combined efforts for
international peace and security.
Mr. President,
You, your distinguished daughter and all members of your
delegation are most welcome to Jamaica. Though your
stay is brief, we hope to make it memorable.
May our relations go from strength to strength. The role
you have played in fostering these relations has been
tremendous and we are grateful to you.
UWI LIBRARIES
