An agreement on resolving the maritime boundaries between Grenada and Trinidad and Tobago, and the provision of scholarships and health care are the successes that have resulted from an official visit Prime Minister Tillman Thomas made last week to the twin-island Republic.
This was the Prime Minister's first visit to Trinidad and Tobago since assuming office following the July 8 General Elections.
It followed an invitation extended to him by his counterpart, Prime Minister Patrick Manning to head to Port-of-Spain for talks on matters of mutual interest.
Speaking to the media following the visit, Prime Minister Thomas said it was agreed by both governments that a six-member commission will be established comprising three from each country, to work towards resolving the maritime delimitation by year-end.
The new Grenadian leader stated the working group will be guided by the United Nations Convention on the Law on the Sea. Another success story of the visit to Trinidad and Tobago was the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of education between the two governments.
Trinidad and Tobago has offered ten scholarships annually to nationals of Grenada who are residing in their homeland to meet the tuition expenses of tertiary level institutions in Trinidad and Tobago, provided such students meet the matriculation requirements of the relevant tertiary level institution in Trinidad and Tobago.
The memorandum of understanding will remain in force indefinitely. The other memorandum of understanding reached was in the area of health care. The Grenada Government will identify citizens who are in need of emergency health care services from time to time.
When identified, the local Chief Medical Officer (CMO) will contact his counterpart in the twin-island Republic who will determine whether such emergency health care services are available, bearing in mind that the welfare of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago should not be compromised. Once the CMO in Trinidad determines that emergency health care services are available, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Grenada, will make a written request to the PS in the Trinidad and Tobago Health Ministry.
Following such a request, the Ministry of Health of Trinidad and Tobago will undertake to put in place the necessary arrangements to receive the patients from Grenada, and enable them to access the required health care.
The cost of transporting the patients from Grenada will be borne by the government in St. George's. In addition, non-institutionalised accommodation of the patients in Trinidad and Tobago will be the responsibility of the Government of Grenada.
It was further agreed that the Ministry of Health in the twin-island Republic will assist in sourcing private providers for health care services to be accessed by citizens of Grenada referred by the Ministry of Health, Grenada.
Where such health care services are accessed at any private provider, the cost is to be borne by the Government of Grenada.
That memorandum of understanding will remain in force for a period of three years. Security between both countries was also looked at.
It was decided that the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago will establish a satellite that will assist in monitoring illegal activities between the two States.
Prime Minister Thomas indicated that his visit to Trinidad was used to strengthen the diplomatic ties already existing between the two countries.
