??
Barbadian Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart, greets Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, before yesterday’s bi-lateral??meeting, during the 2nd CARICOM/Mexico Conference at Hilton Barbados.?? (C. Pitt/BGIS)??

A delegation from Barbados is expected to travel to Trinidad and Tobago soon to hold further talks on the proposed natural gas pipeline – an initiative that would result in significant savings for this island.

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart disclosed this today after a bi-lateral meeting with his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart during the 2nd CARICOM/Mexico conference at Hilton Barbados.

Emphasising the importance of the pipeline and the need for face- to-face talks on the issue, the Prime Minister added: "We have had some discussions on it to ascertain where we are and what needs to be done, because this is a matter of great interest to us [Barbados] and we are making some forward movements in this regard".

Mr. Stuart further stated: "Trinidad has invited us to send a mission so that we can get away from the phones, and have direct communication to reach some critical conclusions."

The Prime Minister described the talks as sound and in the best interest for both countries and pledged to continue the cordial relationship between both sides.

In turn, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who also praised the bi-lateral relationship, said the twin-island republic was keen to expedite the natural gas pipeline project.??????????????????

She added that progress had been made since the last bi-lateral meeting in Suriname, and like Prime Minister Stuart, was keen to have it expedited. ??"…This is why I suggested to Prime Minister Stuart to send a delegation to Trinidad so that we can have all the players and all the stakeholders in one place around the table. That way we can make greater progress.

With regards to Trinidad and Tobago’s relationship with the Caribbean Court of Justice, Mrs. Persad-Bissessar hinted that the twin-island state might soon "de-link" its colonial ties with the British-based Privy Council.

She also gave an undertaking to hold further discussions on the proposed fishing agreement with the view to bringing it to fruition.??

julie.carrington@barbados.gov.bb

Pin It on Pinterest