At that meeting, Minister Elrington handed over Belize’s Chairmanship of the COFCOR to incoming Chair, Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baldwin Spencer.

In their meeting, the CARICOM Foreign Ministers discussed key developments in international affairs, and how they affect countries in the region.

They noted the shifting priorities of many of the region’s traditional partners, and agreed on the need for the strengthening of the region’s integration movement in the context of the nature, speed and scope of global changes, and the challenges with which CARICOM countries are faced.

The Ministers further emphasized the influence which small countries in the region can have, even on the international stage. This is particularly critical in the face of the international problems that dominate current headlines, such as the rising food and fuel prices, poverty and environmental degradation.

The COFCOR meeting exchanged views on a number of issues that are expected to occupy the agenda in the coming months.

Among them are the issues of climate change, crime and security, food security, energy and its alternative sources, the graduation of middle-income countries from UN programme support, the Bolivarian Alternative for Latin America (ALBA), the Caribbean Sea Initiative, Human Rights and a common visa regime.