Efforts are being made to ensure that a political union between member countries of the sub-regional OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean
States) and Trinidad and Tobago becomes a reality.
Discussions to this effect took place last week with three OECS Prime Ministers, including Prime Minister Tillman Thomas of Grenada, together with the Foreign Affairs Ministers of Barbados and Guyana, Chris Sinckler and Carolyn Rodrigues, respectively.
The OECS Prime Ministers at the meeting were Dr. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Stephenson King of St. Lucia.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Peter David who was part of Grenada's delegation at the Port-of-Spain meeting said that the opportunity to meet in Trinidad at such an early stage of the new government's life was critical because it signals the administration's deep commitment to the integration process.
The three OECS Prime Ministers along with Prime Minister Patrick Manning of Trinidad and Tobago signed a joint declaration to establish a framework for closer cooperation towards the achievement of a single economy by 2011, and an appropriate integration by 2013.
Minister David said that the declaration is open to any other Caribbean Government for signature.
The participating countries have tapped the resources of Dr. Vaughn Lewis and Dr. Cuthbert Joseph to prepare a study paper with a view to achieving the modalities which will be submitted to the Heads by the end of the year.
The new government minister indicated that the declaration will not harm the Caricom arrangement with regards to the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, nor the Basseterre Treaty with respect to the OECS.
He said it is aimed at enhancing those processes rather than affecting them in any negative way.
"All of the countries of Caricom, and all of the countries of OECS are welcome to join the process. What we are attempting to do by signing the document... and committing ourselves to this process... is to move the process forward," he added. The Foreign Affairs Minister stressed that integration is a necessity for the region's survival.
The Trinidad discussions also centred around regional air and maritime transportation.
A decision was taken to have Prime Minister Manning meet the Prime Ministers of the shareholding countries of LIAT, Antigua, Barbados, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines as early as next week to discuss the way forward for regional airlift.
