Contact:
Prime Minister's Press Secretary
Tuesday, April
18, 2006 - Prime Minister Dr Kenny D. Anthony left the island this morning
for Antigua and Barbuda, where he will join other regional Heads of Government
for the 20th meeting of the CARICOM Bureau.
The state of readiness of six CARICOM member states for single market compliance
will be part of the agenda for the meeting, which is being hosted by the
Government of Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer.
The bureau is also expected to discuss the region's progress towards the
establishment of the framework for the single economy by 2008.
Prime Minister Anthony and his fellow Heads of Government will receive an update
on the developments in Haiti, following the recent election of Dr Rene Preval as
President of the Kweyol-speaking CARICOM member-state.
The leaders will also assess preparations for two imminent meetings: the third
CARICOM-Spain summit set for May 10 and 11, and the fourth European Union-Latin
American and Caribbean (LAC) summit on May 12 and 13.
Antigua and Barbuda, where the bureau meeting will be held, is one of the six
countries still to sign on to the single market arrangement.
The other member states that have agreed to participate by June 30, this year
are Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St.
Lucia.
The Prime Minister returns to the island this evening.
Meanwhile, as a result of the Prime Minister’s attendance at the meeting, there
will be a change in a much-advertised appearance live talk show on the National
Television Network (NTN) this evening.
The Prime Minister was to have been the guest on NTN’s Nation Beat with Michael
Gaspard this evening. But instead, Acting Prime Minister Hon. Philip J. Pierre
will be tonight’s guest.
Mr Pierre, who is also Minister with responsibility for Commerce, Tourism,
Investment and Consumer Affairs, will address issues ranging from the Economy
and Tourism to the latest political happenings in the country.
The Acting Prime Minister will also take calls from the general public.
Nation Beat is in English and Kweyol and will be broadcast live on NTN from 8:00
to 9:30 this evening.
