Economic Union heavily discussed at 47th OECS Heads meeting
|
|
|
Contact: Chris Satney
Monday, 26 May 2008 – The OECS Authority is continuing the process of public consultation in each member state, on the draft OECS Economic Union Treaty. This was one of several items on the agenda of the just ended 47th meeting of OECS Authority, conducted in Saint Lucia.
Addressing the gathering at Friday's opening, Saint Lucia’s Prime Minister Hon. Stephenson King said the establishment of an OECS Economic Union was a step in the right direction, and called for more public dialogue on the initiative. He added that although the region continues to grapple with issues such as rising food costs, and security, it cannot afford to reverse the successes that have been made.
“The accomplishments of the OECS are unparalleled in the wider Caribbean. I have noticed that we continue to be called a sub-region by some. With further systematic strengthening of the OECS, we will further underscore that we are a region in charge of our destiny, and we are willing to go the distance to reap the rewards that deep integration will launch,” said the Saint Lucian Prime Minister.
Director General of the OECS Authority Dr. Len Ishmael took the opportunity to applaud the outgoing chairman of the Authority, Prime minister of Dominica Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, under whose leadership, the public awareness and discourse on the draft OECS Economic Union Treaty was launched.
Dr. Ishmael said at the heart of the discussions, which are expected to make the round in OECS member states, are the administrative and governance structures and mechanisms, envisaged by the Treaty. The OECS, she added, has proven to lead in the growing world-wide trend of the formation of regional blocs.
“By deepening and strengthening our own internal arrangements through economic union, by participating as partners with the larger regional grouping of CARICOM, by reflecting soberly on the geopolitical landscape within which we must insert ourselves through the development of strategic ally, placed new relationships at the regional level, the OECS demonstrates its commitment to playing a leadership role in the articulation and promotion of its strategic interests,” Dr. Ishmael said.
Meanwhile incoming Chairman of the OECS Authority, Prime Minister of Grenada Hon. Dr. Keith Mitchell seems all set to continue the work started by his predecessor, Dominican Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit; however, he outlined the promotion of a new thrust to agriculture as one of his several intended accomplishments.
“Given the Global food demand and supply crises, there is an urgent need for us to develop a new agriculture, capable of attracting the attention and investment of our youthful population. Towards this end we must change our agricultural institutions to become more technologically relevant,” said the Dominican Prime Minister.
The public consultation and dialogue on the draft Treaty of the OECS Economic Union, which started in Dominica last month, will continue in St. Vincent and the Grenadines within the next few weeks. |
|
© 2008 Government Information Service. All rights reserved. Read our privacy guidelines. |
