    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book I)]
    [June 20, 2007]
    [Pages 779-780]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Joint Statement on the Conference on the Caribbean
    June 20, 2007

        1. We, the Heads of State and Government of the United States of
    America and of the Caribbean Community Nations of Antigua and Barbuda,
    The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti,
    Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the
    Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, meeting in Washington
    D.C. on June 20, 2007, reaffirm our unequivocal commitment to a secure
    and prosperous region and future for the benefit of all of our citizens.
        2. Recalling our shared history of democracy, respect for human
    rights, social justice, and cultural and ethnic diversity, we highlight
    the value of our enduring friendship and recommit ourselves to enhancing
    our partnership to reinforce the development aspirations that guide our
    mutual priorities.
        3. We pledge to continue promoting the consolidation of democratic
    norms, values, and institutions throughout the hemisphere and to enhance
    accountability and respect for individual rights.
        4. We agree to take steps to expand economic opportunities for our
    people, to address the threats of terrorism and crime, and to provide
    the benefits of democracy to all members of our societies, recognizing
    that democracy will best flourish if our societies are stable and our
    economies are prosperous.
        5. We recognize the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and
    Economy as a critical element of the growth and development strategy of
    the Caribbean Community.
        6. We are determined to strengthen our existing trade arrangements.
    We acknowledge President Bush's announcement to work with Congress to
    extend and update the Caribbean Basin Trade Promotion Act and the 1991
    Trade and Investment Framework Agreement. We further commit to the
    harmonization of customs procedures consistent with global standards and
    the advancement of technical trade cooperation.
        7. We reiterate our support for Caribbean efforts to expand the
    services sector, and encourage a focus on the international financial
    services sector to facilitate a competitive means of economic
    diversification while remaining committed to the maintenance of
    appropriate regulatory and supervisory practices, consistent with the
    highest international standards.
        8. Cognizant of the spread of HIV and AIDS and the impact on the
    economic and social development of our people, we pledge to deepen our
    cooperation in health

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    and welcome the initiative to continue PEPFAR in the Caribbean.
        9. Cognizant that more than 95 percent of CARICOM's energy needs are
    derived from fossil fuels, we pledge to increase cooperation in this
    area to achieve sustainable, secure, and affordable access to energy for
    all our citizens.
        10. We agree to increase cooperation efforts in the field of
    education and workplace training. We commit to strengthen teacher
    training by expanding the Caribbean Centers for Excellence. We also
    commit to strengthen human capacity in the Caribbean to meet the demands
    of a 21st century employment environment through partnering with
    academic institutions and non-governmental groups as well as through
    skills training for youth via the Entra-21 program.
        11. We declare our intention to negotiate an agreement on
    cooperation in Science and Technology including Information
    Communication Technologies.
        12. We recommit to our ongoing efforts of cooperation in the area of
    disaster preparedness, mitigation, and recovery.
        13. We acknowledge the multidimensional nature of the security
    threats and challenges faced by our countries and pledge to continue to
    work together in the fight against terrorism, trafficking in persons,
    drugs and small arms, and transnational crime.
        14. We also acknowledge the successful security partnership
    developed to secure the CARICOM Region during its hosting of the Cricket
    World Cup 2007. To this end, we agree to continue strengthening the
    Region's security infrastructure.
        15. We recognize the need to work more closely on immigration
    security issues in a manner respectful of national laws and government
    services capacity and sensitive to the effects of human displacement. We
    will jointly work toward the expansion of the pilot reintegration
    program for deportees in Haiti to include other CARICOM member states.
    We will develop new ways to facilitate, coordinate, and communicate
    between our immigration services.
        16. We are heartened by the substantial progress in Haiti made by
    the Government of President Preval, with
    the support of international partners. We recognize that Haiti will
    continue to require substantial regional and international support in
    the implementation of a consistent and long-term strategy of institution
    and capacity building, and pledge to work together with the three
    branches of the Haitian Government.
        17. On the occasion of Caribbean-American Heritage Month, we pay
    tribute to the generations of Caribbean-Americans who have helped shape
    the spirit and character of the United States of America and who
    continue to contribute to the growth and development of the Caribbean.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.