00:00For Trinidad and Tobago, one of the major outcomes of the UN General Assembly in New York City was the
00:06signing of an air services agreement with Ghana.
00:09Foreign and Karakom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers says the agreement could significantly improve connectivity between Africa and the Caribbean.
00:18He was speaking on TTT's Focus People and Politics program.
00:22Now with this air services agreement being signed and being the architect of the agreement, being the Minister of Civil
00:31Aviation, I can't thank him enough for the job that he did.
00:36Under the astute leadership of the Prime Minister, allows for a direct flight from Ghana, which is in West Africa,
00:44to Trinidad and Tobago, which would take us about seven hours.
00:47He says the improved connectivity could facilitate greater trade and people-to-people exchanges while reducing the time and cost
00:55associated with traveling.
00:57Another key area of discussion was Venezuela.
01:01Sobers described the meeting between Prime Minister Kamala Posada-Bissessa and Venezuelan President Desi Rodriguez as significant,
01:09saying the two countries are seeking to strengthen cooperation in areas including trade, energy, agriculture, tourism and culture.
01:17A joint commission technical working group has been established to advance those areas of cooperation.
01:24So a joint commission working group essentially has already been established.
01:31A joint commission working group has already been established.
01:35And that joint commission working group will allow for these various sectors to be looked at, to be dissected and
01:46to be worked upon.
01:47So that joint commission working group will involve members of trade, members of energy, members of agriculture, members related to
01:59the environment, members related to planning, members related to tourism, because all of these things were discussed.
02:06Haiti was also high on the regional agenda.
02:08Sobers says CARICOM continues to support efforts to stabilize the country and restore democratic governance, with Haiti's interim leadership indicating
02:17a desire to hold elections later this year.
02:21He says TNT remains prepared to support Haiti in whatever way possible.
02:25And looking ahead, Trinidad and Tobago is preparing for an expanded role internationally.
02:30The country is set to take up its elected seat on the United Nations Security Council in January.
02:36Sobers says the government intends to use that position to advocate for small and developing states, while contributing to discussions
02:44on conflicts and other global challenges.
02:46We have a great responsibility on our shoulders.
02:50We have to represent the world in a way that is practical, just, we have to be the voice of
03:00a lot of voiceless countries, and we have to be balanced in terms of our approach, because, you know, there's
03:07a lot going on in the world right now.
03:09He says the government's focus now is on turning the agreements and discussions held in New York City into tangible
03:16cooperation.
03:16For TNT, the challenge will be translating those diplomatic engagements into increased connectivity, trade and international partnerships.
03:25Charlotte Kisto, TV6 News.
