These activities emphasise that we are all working on a common, hemispheric agenda. These, and other activities, demonstrate the extremely strong commitment of the OAS to this process, one which the SIRG should recognise and applaud. The FTAA process is continuing to work along a separate but parallel track. Since Canada is currently chair of the trade negotiations committee, I would like to provide you with a brief update on that process. The first round of meetings of each of these groups took place in Miami in September and October.
Efforts are also on-going to establish the administrative secretariat in Miami.
We are pleased with the progress that has been made so far. In spite of a few inevitable teething pains, the process is 'on track'. The second meeting of the TNC will take place December 2-3 in Paramaribo, Suriname. At this meeting, the TNC will review the results of, and clarify any matters that have arisen in, the negotiations to date. A second round of negotiations will follow, beginning in early January 1999.