Montego Bay, October 24 (PL)- The 2nd Meeting of Ministers of Energy of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) opens today at the Convention Center of the Jamaican city of Montego Bay.

The two-day event opens with the Technical Meeting of Senior Officials, responsible for analyzing issues related to the procedures and to approve the agenda to be discussed by the ministers.

As indicated by the organizers, delegates will analyze issues related to Regional Security and Energy Integration, and prepare the Preliminary Declaration of Montego Bay.

Opening remarks will be delivered by Julian Robinson, Minister of State for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining of Jamaica.

The ministerial meeting is part of the 2013 Action Plan of the block, which includes advance implementation of the Energy Strategy, adopted at the first meeting held in Lima, Peru, in November 2012.

The meeting includes the participation of officials from the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), which acts as technical advisor to the Community on this subject.

The event is attended by representatives from Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Barbados, Cuba, Haiti and the host country, among others.

The founding Summit of CELAC was held in Caracas, Venezuela, on December 2 and 3, 2011, in the presence of Presidents and Heads of Government of the 33 independent countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

On that occasion, Raul Castro, President of the Council of State and Ministers of Cuba, said: The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States is our most precious work.

"Symbolically, it strengthens the concept of a united and sovereign region, committed to a common fate. In strategic terms, provides the political instrument required to summon the will, respect diversity, solve differences, and cooperate for the good of our people and solidarity with each other, "he added.

Cuba has the pro tempore presidency of CELAC this year and will be succeeded by Costa Rica in 2014.

Montego Bay, October 24 (PL)- The 2nd Meeting of Ministers of Energy of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) opens today at the Convention Center of the Jamaican city of Montego Bay.

The two-day event opens with the Technical Meeting of Senior Officials, responsible for analyzing issues related to the procedures and to approve the agenda to be discussed by the ministers.

As indicated by the organizers, delegates will analyze issues related to Regional Security and Energy Integration, and prepare the Preliminary Declaration of Montego Bay.

Opening remarks will be delivered by Julian Robinson, Minister of State for Science, Technology, Energy and Mining of Jamaica.

The ministerial meeting is part of the 2013 Action Plan of the block, which includes advance implementation of the Energy Strategy, adopted at the first meeting held in Lima, Peru, in November 2012.

The meeting includes the participation of officials from the Latin American Energy Organization (OLADE), which acts as technical advisor to the Community on this subject.

The event is attended by representatives from Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Barbados, Cuba, Haiti and the host country, among others.

The founding Summit of CELAC was held in Caracas, Venezuela, on December 2 and 3, 2011, in the presence of Presidents and Heads of Government of the 33 independent countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

On that occasion, Raul Castro, President of the Council of State and Ministers of Cuba, said: The Community of Latin American and Caribbean States is our most precious work.

"Symbolically, it strengthens the concept of a united and sovereign region, committed to a common fate. In strategic terms, provides the political instrument required to summon the will, respect diversity, solve differences, and cooperate for the good of our people and solidarity with each other, "he added.

Cuba has the pro tempore presidency of CELAC this year and will be succeeded by Costa Rica in 2014.