DOMINICA - Finland looking for closer ties with CARICOM

ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC):

Finland is looking to establish closer ties with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and will be sending an observer to the July 4-7 CARICOM summit in Jamaica, Ambassador Pasi Patokallio has said.

Patokallio, who arrived here as part of a special mission to Organisation of Eastern Carib-bean States (OECS), said that his attendance at the CARICOM summit will also be to seek support for his country's bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for the 2013-2014 term.

Valuable insight

The diplomat, who had also been in St Lucia for the historic signing of the Treaty of Basseterre establishing the Economic Union among the nine-member OECS grouping, said that Finland, as a member of the European Union, could provide valuable insight and experiences with Caribbean countries.

Patakallio announced that former senior public servant, Julian Johnson, had been appointment as his country's first honorary consul to Dominica.

Rising profile

"Finland's profile has been rising steadily in the Caribbean region as a result of its funding of major regional climate-related projects," Johnson said, adding she possesses vast experience and expertise in environment and sustainable development matters from which the OECS region can learn.

"This includes ocean governance, training in environmental negotiations and diplomacy and adaptation to climate change and best practices in education," Johnson told journalists.

Patokallio, who is due to visit St Vincent and the Grenadines on Wednesday, said Finland would provide EC$54,000 (US$20,000) to the Dominica Sea Turtle Conservation to support its activities.