Jamaica, Colombia to cooperation in energy expansion

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr Ronald Robinson, said the bilateral agreement to expand the exploration of hydrocarbon resources in the Joint Regime Area (JRA) shared by the two countries will soon be a reality.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, July 24, 2008 – Jamaica is set to enter an arrangement with Colombia to expand hydrocarbon resources.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Dr Ronald Robinson, said the bilateral agreement to expand the exploration of hydrocarbon resources in the Joint Regime Area (JRA) shared by the two countries will soon be a reality.

Earlier this year the Jamaica government had informed Columbia of its interest in expanding the Area currently being explored for oil in the Caribbean Sea.

"A pressing issue for Jamaica today is that of energy insecurity and the consequent high oil prices. Every opportunity that could lead to a reduction on our dependence on oil imports, big or small, is worth exploring," Dr Robinson said.

He said that alternative sources of energy such as ethanol, solar and wind power must also be considered, and that conservation practices put in place.

The JRA falls under the Maritime Delimitation Treaty signed by both governments in 1993 and is a zone of joint management, control, exploration and exploitation of the living and non living resources.