Colombian President César Gaviria's one-day visit to Jamaica culminated in the signing of a historic Maritime Delimitation Treaty between the two nations.  Prime Minister P.J. Patterson emphasised that the treaty not only settles territorial waters but also sets the stage for deeper bilateral cooperation, including joint environmental protection, marine research, and sustainable development.

Published Saturday, November 13, 1993

Ja, Colombia sign maritime treaty

by Mark Dawes: Gleaner Staff Reporter

JAMAICA and Colombia yesterday signed a Maritime Delimitation Treaty which sets out the sea boundaries of both countries while defining the jurisdiction of each state in specific areas.

The treaty provides for a zone of joint management, control, exploration and exploitation of the living and non-living natural resources.

The signing of the treaty was the high point of the one-day visit of Colombian president Cesar Gaviria.

Accompanied by an entourage which included his wife, daughter and foreign minister, President Gaviria arrived in the island yesterday morning and left in the afternoon.

Explaining the significance of the treaty, Prime Minister P.J. Patterson told a press conference: Countries which are proximate to each other, as those of us are in the Caribbean Basin, share certain maritime areas in common. And we have to find ways to determine which of these areas would fall within the sovereign competence of respective national governments, and which are the areas appropriate for joint national development.

In the case of Colombia, this treaty defines our respective maritime borders. It has also defined a common area which we are going to seek to protect together, explore together, and develop together. So then, it is not just a question of developing maritime boundaries, it is something which provides a framework for bilateral cooperation which did not previously exist. And I, therefore, believe it marks a new chapter in our relationship. ’

He also noted that the treaty enjoins both nations to protect the living resources in the area, to preserve the marine environment, and to help undertake marine and scientific research, which will help to promote sustainable patterns of development.

The Colombian president was met on arrival by the Governor General Sir Howard Cooke, the prime minister, cabinet ministers, the police commissioner, Colonel Trevor MacMillan, the Chief of Staff of the Jamaica Defence Force, Commodore Peter Brady, and Hector Wynter, JLP spokesman on foreign affairs, representing the leader of the Opposition.

The president and his wife were whisked off to King's House where they had talks with Governor General Sir Howard Cooke and Lady Cooke.

Thereafter, President Gavira had talks with the prime minister at Jamaica House before leaving for lunch in his honour at Vale Royale.

The two heads of government told the media that their talks centred around Haiti’s political crisis, next year’s creation of an Association of Caribbean States, and the need for greater regional approach to developmental issues and to international negotiations.

Both leaders expressed the hope that, having created a maritime delimitation treaty, a fishing agreement between the two nations might come about soon.

President Gaviria acknowledged that there was scope for greater economic links between Jamaica and Colombia. He said he and Mr Patterson spent part of the day ’talking about many areas in which we now realise we can work together’. In this regard, he announced that the Colombian minister of foreign trade would be visiting Jamaica next January to pursue such matters.

The treaty was signed by the Colombian Foreign Minister Noemi Sanin and Dr Paul Robertson, minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, and witnessed by Mr Patterson and Mr Gaviria.

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