With the participation of the Dominican Republic and 15 other countries from the Caribbean, President Leonel Fernández inaugurated the Special Meeting of Chiefs of State and Governments of Cariforum at the Renaissance Jaragua Hotel at 9 am. This is the first time that the Presidents of Cuba, Haiti and English-speaking Caribbean nations meet for a Caribbean Summit. Work sessions, that will primarily discuss regional trade strategy, began at 9:45 am. Cariforum countries are signatories of the Lomé IV Convention with the European Union that has served as a channel for the distribution of aid and to facilitate trade between Europe and the region. The Ministry of Foreign Relations said in a press release that Cariforum has evolved and today coordinates relations between the Caribbean and the European Union. Post Lome IV negotiations begin in September, for a new agreement that must be established by year 2000. The Caribbean Summit will conclude with the historic signing of a free trade agreement between the Dominican Republic and CARICOM on Saturday, 22 August at 10 am.
