St. George’s, March 29, 2013 – The recently installed government of Prime Minister Keith Mitchell has reiterated Grenada’s support for efforts at Caribbean integration.

Government’s position was outlined by Governor General, Sir Carlyle Glean, at the formal opening of a new session of parliament, following general elections held on February 19.

Mitchell’s New National Party defeated the incumbent National Democratic Congress 15 – 0 in the elections.

The governor general, in delivering the parliamentary speech on the government’s legislative and economic agenda, said Grenada is aware that “small countries cannot go it alone and succeed’’.

“Instead, the small states in the Caribbean and around the world must come together if they are to survive and thrive in the harsh global economy,’’ Sir Carlyle said.

Against this background, he said Grenada plans on joining other “like-minded governments to revisit the issue of joint and more cost-effective representation in our embassies and overseas missions. Furthermore, these missions will be re-oriented with a thrust to foreign direct investment, trade and new partnerships of bilateral cooperation’’.

Other proposal of the Grenada government include talks with Trinidad and Tobago with the aim of implementing agreements for joint development and exploration of hydro-carbon resources, as well as pursuing negotiations with Venezuela on maritime boundary delimitation.

Overall, said the governor general, Grenada intends to follow “an enlightened foreign policy with the values and aspirations of the people of Grenada, rather than ideology at the centre of this policy thrust’’.

Grenada, he said, also “reaffirms her commitment to the regional integration process, including the OECS Economic Union; the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union; the CARICOM Single Market and Economy; the University of the West Indies; the Regional Security System; and West Indies cricket’’.