T&T, Equitorial Guinea discuss energy

L-R: Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea, Vicente Elate Toni, Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Secretary of State in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Equatorial Guinea, Angel Mokara Moleila, and Director of Cabinet in the Office of the Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea, Juan Andres Meha. Photo courtesy the Office of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar held talks on Thursday night with Vicente Ehate Toni, Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea, who is a guest of CARICOM at the summit taking place in Port of Spain.

Toni apologized for the absence of his president, Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, who was invited to attend the 34th Regular meeting of the Caribbean Community as the chairman of the ACP group.

Toni said the President has a hectic internal that prevented him from travelling to Trinidad and Tobago at this time. However he assured Persad-Bissessar that the President is willing to visit Trinidad at the earliest opportunity.

Toni noted that Trinidad and Tobago helped shape and develop Equatorial Guinea in its early stages. "I do hope that this collaboration would continue in the future," Toni stated.

Persad-Bissessar said Trinidad and Tobago and Equatorial Guinea are interested in energy discussions. She pointed out that Trinidad and Tobago has been involved in oil production for more than 100 years, making the industry in T&T one of the oldest in the world.

Toni plans to meet Energy Minister Kevin Ramnarine.