KINGSTON – Jamaica has been admitted as the 25th member of the Rio Group, a hemispheric body founded in 1986 as a counterweight to what was perceived as Washington’s domination of the Organization of American States.

Kingston’s application was accepted at a gathering of Rio Group foreign ministers in the Jamaican resort town of Montego Bay.

Jamaica’s foreign minister, Dr. Kenneth Baugh, praised the Rio Group for its role in raising the region’s international profile and said Kingston fully shared the organization’s commitment to peace, promotion of democratic values, respect for the rule of law and the fostering of multilateralism.

The government of Jamaican Prime Minister Bruce Golding “recognizes the essential and unique role that the Rio Group plays for the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean,” Baugh said.

“It is one of the most representative groupings of Latin American and Caribbean countries, and plays an invaluable role to strengthen the region’s international presence, to enhance its influence in multilateral fora and to increase interaction with extra-regional states and group states,” he said.

Baugh expressed gratitude to the countries which supported Jamaica’s entry and said his government looked forward to working with the other member-states. EFE