The relationship between the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica is strong and deepening even further as a result of a number of collaborative initiatives between the countries, Deryck Murray, high commissioner of the twin-island republic to Jamaica, has said. 

Murray was speaking on September 28 during a reception in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of Independence and 46th anniversary of the attainment of Republic status at the High Commission in Kingston.

Murray referenced a recent memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between the two countries when Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Minister Kamina Johnson Smith attended Independence celebrations in Trinidad at the invitation of Keith Rowley, prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, on August 31.

Noting that the Trinidad and Tobago-Jamaica cooperation dates back to 1948 with the establishment of the University of the West Indies and cricket in the 1900s, Murray said the new MOU “opens the way for further development of many areas of cooperation and collaboration to ensure that Jamaica-Trinidad and Tobago bilateral relations continue to flourish”.

He added: “It is incumbent on us to ensure that such a proud legacy is not taken for granted but remains a clarion call for future generations to aspire to emulate, even surpass. As we face the challenges in the next 60 years, I look forward to strengthening relations.”

Thanking the Government of Jamaica and in particular the Ministry of Health; the diplomatic community, staff and colleagues for their tremendous  contributions throughout the pandemic period, Murray appealed to the diaspora in Jamaica to engage with the high commission “to determine how we can utilise your experience and expertise to advance our nation’s goals and objectives”.

In her address at the reception, Johnson Smith said: “Trinidad and Tobago has much to be proud of in its 60th year. There has been tremendous success in several key areas of nation-building, and the region has benefitted from the vision and advocacy of their leaders.”

She paid homage to political icon, Dr Eric Williams; civil rights activist and originator of the ‘Black Power’ slogan, Stokely Carmichael; and former CARICOM Secretary-General, Sir Edwin Carrington, describing them as ”a small sample of the personalities which have had a profound influence on the region”.

Johnson Smith noted that significant strides have also been made in the economic, social and cultural spheres, that private sector companies have established themselves in the respective countries and strong trading linkages have been developed.

She credited “a rich history of people-to-people exchanges, facilitated primarily through the Mona and the St Augustine campuses of the University of the West Indies which have warmly embraced students from across the region” and successes in the sporting arena, with world-class sports persons such as Hasely Crawford, Ato Boldon, Brian Lara, brothers Dwayne and Darren Bravo, Kelly-Ann Baptiste, Richard Thompson and Michelle-Lee Ahye, join Jamaicans including Usain Bolt, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, Merlene Ottey, Donald Quarrie and Courtney Walsh in “placing our nations on the global stage”.

Johnson Smith said that, “having taken stock of our shared history and our inextricable bond, I am immensely proud of our legacy of collaboration and cooperation. Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago continue to cooperate on a number of bilateral issues from trade to immigration, as both our governments strive to work together in the best interest of our countries and peoples”.

She said that “during my recent visit to Trinidad and Tobago, we had the opportunity to engage in bilateral talks on further strengthening our cooperation in these areas, and other issues of common interest. The opportunity was also used to sign the historic memorandum of understanding for the Trade Complaints Mechanism aimed at enhancing trade relations between our two countries”.

She noted: “As we pursue sustainable growth and development for our people, we hope that there will be special emphasis on collaboration on energy security, including the development of local renewable sources of energy, and trade and investment. We also hope to see collaboration on crime-fighting and security, health and sports, tourism, culture, education and of course, tackling climate change.”

The senator told guests at the reception that, “as we approach the 60th anniversary of the establishment of our diplomatic relations, Jamaica remains steadfast in its commitment to our partnership. Like the Double Chaconia, the National Flower of Trinidad and Tobago, we are anticipating that our bilateral relationship will continue to blossom and spring forth fresh opportunities for closer collaboration”.

Johnson Smith declared: “High Commissioner Murray, we are extremely appreciative of the efforts you and the team from the High Commission are making to support these efforts of strengthening this important partnership.”