Ryan Bachoo
Lead Editor – Newsgathering
ryan.bachoo@cnc3.co.tt
Prime Minister Stuart Young says US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has given the assurance that the United States “will not harm Trinidad and Tobago.”
He revealed this twice during his post-cabinet media conference as he opened up about his meeting with Rubio on Wednesday in Jamaica.
Young hailed a “very good meeting” with Rubio. He said he started the meeting by emphasising that the US is an ally of T&T but he also said Trinidad is the closest Caribbean nation to Venezuela.
In the conversation, Rubio indicated he was pleased for the information Young provided on Dragon Gas Deal. He said US foreign policy is not meant to harm T&T as it pertains to energy security. Rubio says he is willing to visit T&T.
On whether the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) licence will be renewed when it expires in October, Young said “things are fluid.”
“There are conversations taking place,” the Prime Minister said. Rubio said that is some time off.
Instead, Young said the country hasn’t slowed down with the Dragon Gas Deal. “We are moving full speed ahead,” he said.
The Prime Minister said Rubio appreciated hearing from him firsthand.
Young slammed critics who say all eggs of the energy sector have been placed in the “Dragon Gas basket.” He says the government has been very engaged in the Calypso project and has been in touch with Woodside and bpTT. He anticipates in the next few weeks; they will make announcements.
When asked about present gas supplies at Pt Lisas Industrial Estate, he said the country maintains 2.6bcf of gas per day.
