The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States will celebrate its 26th anniversary on Monday at a time when integration takes precedence, and economic union is foremost in that context.
The Caribbean organization created on June 18, 1981 in Basseterre, capital of St. Kitts and Nevis, promotes technical cooperation and sustainable development for six independent Caribbean countries and three British territories.
The OECS priority now is the consulting process at every level, to reach consensus for economic union before ear ends, as established in the intention agreement by the heads of government two months ago.
Charles Maynard, representative of Dominica, points out that unity is important to face the effects free trade produces in the OECS member countries. ~~Adz:Right~~
The nine member countries enjoy advantages from the cooperation in regional trade, public health, education, economic development and the struggle against AIDS, among many other areas.
The member countries are: Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Anguilla, Montserrat and the British Virgin Islands.
Strategic interests are also important to OECS, among them to establish links with Brazil, open trade and investment opportunities with Asian countries and intensify relations with Canada, Cuba and Puerto Rico.
