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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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