BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – IN her capacity as Interim Chair of the Security Policy Advisory Committee, the Federation’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of National Security, Astona Browne, co-chaired technical level talks on security cooperation between the US and CARICOM.
While addressing the media, Browne revealed that the talks were very productive and goal-oriented. According to the top official, the objective was to find common ground to advance the security cooperation agenda for both regions, particularly in combating illicit trafficking in drugs and firearms and violent crime.
Members of the Caribbean delegation made presentations highlighting the scope of their security threats and challenges, as well as the programmes, mechanisms and architecture CARICOM had initiated to deal with those threats. They also pointed to critical areas in which greater collaboration was required including deportations, drugs and gun trafficking interdiction, gang violence, institutional strengthening and capacity building.
“The meeting was well-timed because the region is making efforts to forge partnership with neighbouring states, particularly the US, with whom we would like to strengthen engagement given its proximity. It is important that we collaborate to strengthen the region’s security mechanism,” said Browne.
She further informed that a joint working group would be established to craft a joint regional security cooperation strategy, develop a subsequent plan of action and fine-tune the agenda for the US-Caribbean High Level Dialogue on Security Cooperation set to take place in the US later this year.
Ambassador Colin Granderson, the CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General, stated that the meeting was “exceptionally rich in information-sharing”. He also noted he was impressed by the US’ commitment to shared responsibility and partnership.
At the meeting, the US delegation pledged to assist the region’s security needs, particularly in the areas of information and intelligence sharing, training for law enforcement officers, crime detection and providing life skills training for youth and boosting rehabilitation programmes.
