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38th OECS Heads Meeting Conclude with Call to Re-Configure the 23 year old Body


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Contact: John Emmanuel

Friday, January 23, 2004 - As OECS Heads of Government move into the final day of their 38th session here in St. Lucia, Prime Minister Honourable Dr. Kenny Anthony has been speaking on the need to re-configure the nine-member grouping to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

Characterising the current economic environment with heavy uncertainty, Dr. Anthony told the opening ceremony that the sub-region would need to incorporate internal and external changes if it were to survive. He says OECS countries must now assess the need for significant changes in the original arrangements, building on the platform created by the original Treaty singed in Basseterre in 1981.

He says the changes are necessary notwithstanding the sub-region’s remarkable record of liberal democracy, political and social stability, free and fair elections, respect for the rule of law, and currency and financial stability.

“We have not come to that very delicate intersection where the attributes of both sovereignty and efficiency must be carefully balanced. This will require not only very careful thought but wide and constructive discussion at every level in the OECS so that our people are aware of the trade-offs and the choices which they have in looking to the future not only for themselves but for generations to come. We must stop living in a world of fiction,” said Dr. Anthony.

Dominica’s new Prime Minister Honourable Roosevelt Skerrit who also addressed the opening ceremony, gave a firm commitment to continue with the economic stabilization and structural adjustment programme instituted by the late Prime Minister Pierre Charles.

Prime Minister Skerrit however challenged regional leaders to prove true to their commitment to put young people first. “Colleagues, I want to challenge you as we have been challenged in Dominica, to look again at the solutions that we have been recommending to our people. We say we are committed to empowering young people but have we given them the opportunity to participate fully in major institutions that affect our lives.”

He pointed out further that regional leaders needed to move with a greater sense of urgency while putting in place measures for the unhindered movement of the masses throughout the region. According to him, “our youngsters have been yearning for the free movement of people and produce throughout the region, but have we assisted them in any significant way to get locally produced good from one point to the next.”

The opening ceremony, which took place at the National Insurance Corporation (NIC) building on the Waterfront in the heart of the city, was also addressed by Chief Minister of the British Virgin Islands Honourable Dr. Orlando Smith.
 

 


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