OECS Heads confirm hassle-free travel arrangement come August 1
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OECS Heads confirm hassle-free travel arrangement come August 1 |
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Contact: Shannon Lebourne
Wednesday 26 January 2011 – OECS Heads of Government have finalised an agreement to allow Saint Lucians and other OECS citizens to enjoy hassle-free travel in the sub-region from August 1, this year.
This was one of the major decisions taken at the just concluded 52nd meeting of the OECS Heads of Government in Grenada.
Speaking at a Press Conference in Grenada following the meeting, Saint Lucia`s Prime Minister Honourable Stephenson King said the arrangement allows citizens of OECS member countries to travel through the sub-region using either a national identification card or a valid driver's license once the legislation takes effect.
“One of the most significant achievements of the recently concluded OECS Heads of Government meeting was the determination of our Heads of State to truly bring about the free movement of our peoples throughout the region. We recognised and addressed all of the issues relating to free movement and I believe that was one of the major highlights of our deliberations.”
With the increase in crime affecting the livelihoods of people not only in the OECS but around the world, OECS Heads have also decided to put in place necessary systems to ensure that the free movement legislation is not compromised, manipulated or abused by criminals.
Grenada`s Prime Minister Honourable Tillman Thomas says the issue of security and safety of OECS citizens and visitors are critical components of the new legislation.
“Once our OECS citizens have a valid drivers license or an ID card they will have no difficulty moving across the various member states. Of course there will be several security measures, but we will be moving all the impediments and restrictions; we want that to be done by August 1, 2011.”
The free movement legislation will be tabled in the Parliaments of individual OECS member states for approval before its scheduled implementation on August 1, 2011.
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