PM Spencer to Attend Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas in Venezuela

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – April 17, 2010………Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. W. Baldwin Spencer leaves the country on Sunday for Venezuela where he will take part in the 9th Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA).

According to Prime Minister Spencer, this Summit of ALBA to be held on April 19 in the Venezuelan capital Caracas, coincides with the celebrations to mark the bicentennial of Venezuela’s independence of 1810.

Leaders attending the Summit will be invited by the Venezuelan government to witness a civil-military parade that will include military delegations from countries in Africa, Asia and the Americas.

“It is my intention to build on the close relations that currently exist between Antigua and Barbuda and the Government of Venezuela, particularly our relations as it relates to our involvement in ALBA. Antigua and Barbuda has benefited tremendously from our involvement in ALBA and by extension our relations with Venezuela and it is my belief that strengthening the relations can only be of mutual benefit to both of our countries,” said Prime Minister Spencer.

“I will also use the opportunity to congratulate the Government and People of Venezuela on the celebration of their 200th anniversary of independence. The people of Venezuela have a rich and diverse history which they should be proud of and the people of the Americas owe them a debt of gratitude for the numerous life altering and life giving projects that are conceptualized and implemented through ALBA and the associated PetroCaribe Agreement which have served to reduce poverty, illiteracy, morbidity and mortality in many countries including Antigua and Barbuda,” PM Spencer pointed out.

The ABLA Summit on Monday is expected to examine the accords which govern ALBA and address the challenges being faced by member countries which include Cuba, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Ecuador, Honduras, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Panama is expected to official become a member of PetroCaribe during the Summit.