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| St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas (l) and Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Vance Amory. (Photo by Erasmus Williams) |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, NOVEMBER 6th 2005 - St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister, Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas, is leading the Federation's delegation to the 42nd Meeting of Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
Dr. Douglas was scheduled to leave early Sunday evening for Anguilla at the conclusion of the re-convened 73rd Annual Conference of his ruling St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party.
The Prime Minister's delegation is comprised on Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Vance Amory; Permanent Secretary, Office of the Prime Minister, Mr. Oaklyn Peets; Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary, His Excellency Mr. Wendell Lawrence and Assistant Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Neryse Chiverton.
The transition process from sugar in St. Kitts and Nevis and a draft OECS Economic Union Treaty, which will replace the existing Treaty of Basseterre, are among major talking points when OECS Heads of Government meet in Anguilla next week.
The leaders from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda; the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines will also discuss implementation of the arrangements for OECS participation in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the associated Regional Development Fund.
Proposals for reform of the Magistrates Courts in the sub-region; the role and functions of Directors of Public Prosecution; and the OECS Legal and Judicial Affairs Commission, are also on the agenda.
Heads of Government will also receive a presentation highlighting the benefits to the sub-region's yachting sector from the recent joint participation by the nine OECS Member States including St. Kitts and Nevis, in the Grand Pavois Boat show in La Rochelle, France.
The OECS participated as Guest of Honour under the theme, "Many Islands One Sea" and secured new business opportunities for marinas, yacht charter companies, and the manufacturers and suppliers of goods and services.
OECS Heads will also get updates on the work of the OECS Regional Coordinating Mechanism for HIV/AIDS, the OECS Regional Prison Service which is proposing options for alternative non-custodial sentencing in the sub-region; the regional prison service and the recent developments in the vital banana trade.
The official Opening Ceremony for the two-day 42nd meeting of the OECS Authority will be held on Sunday November 6th and it will be addressed by the Chairman of the OECS Authority, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves of St. Vincent and the Grenadines; host Head of State, Chief Minister the Hon. Osborne Fleming of Anguilla and OECS Director General, Her Excellency Dr. Len Ishmael.
The Ceremony will also witness the unveiling of the Logo and Activities for next year's OECS 25th Anniversary celebrations.
