Roadtown, Tortola - The Virgin Islands (UK) today joins with its Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) counterparts in observing the 28th anniversary of the sub-regional grouping.

It was on June 18, 1981 that seven member states Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, signed the Treaty of Basseterre in St.Kitts/Nevis to give birth to the OECS, an organisation designed to foster closer regional integration.

As part of the observation, the Territory is participating in the regional launch of an animated television series titled “U”.

Government has secured the cooperation of local television stations in airing the five-minute animated video produced by the OECS. Both CBN Channel 51 and JTV Channel 55 will air the video at 7:00 p.m. Two additional airings will be available on JTV at 7:55 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

The video will outline the benefits of OECS integration as well as promote the proposed OECS Economic Union, which seeks to move beyond the realm of traditional functional cooperation.

It is expected that this Economic Union will be inaugurated on June 18 next year in observation of the 30th anniversary of the OECS.

Today’s observation of the 28th anniversary will include an OECS Day message from Director General, Dr. Len Ishmael.
     
The Territory just recently hosted the 49th meeting of the OECS Authority, which is the highest decision-making body of the OECS.

The OECS has grown from its original composition of seven member states and is now a nine-member grouping with the Virgin Islands and Anguilla becoming associate members in 1984 and 1995 respectively.