BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – GUADELOUPE has officially become an Associate Member of the Organization of Eastern States (OECS).
At a Special Meeting of the OECS Authority in the French-overseas territory on Thursday and Friday (Mar. 14 & 15), the territory signed the instruments to become the sixth Associate Member and the 12th overall Member of the sub-regional bloc.
Chairman of the OECS, Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Dr. the Hon. Ralph Gonsalves used the occasion to underscore the importance deepening of the regional integration of small Eastern Caribbean islands.
He noted that the enlargement of the OECS, with the accession of Guadeloupe to associate membership, opens tremendous possibilities “not merely to survive but to thrive more markedly across the arenas of economy, society, culture and polity”.
“While centuries of European colonial rivalries in the Caribbean have contributed to the fracturing of our countries in differing linguistic groups and a contrived island separateness, it is these contradictions and separations which are the very seeds which pre-dispose our territories to a greater and more perfect union," Gonsalves added.
Director General of the OECS, Didacas Jules explained that Guadeloupe took five years after its sister territory Martinique to attain associate membership in the OECS.
“This brings to 12 the membership of our organization - six independent Anglophone territories and six non-independent territories who are British Overseas Territories and three French departments.”
Jules said that the convening of the Special Meeting of the Authority signified the importance of the OECS Heads of Government placed on the acceptance of Guadeloupe into the organization.
“How can it be that we who are members of the same family living in the house of the Caribbean be so estranged? For Guadeloupe, this accession actualises its deep desire for recognition and acceptance of its Caribbean-ness, its Caribbean identity and for cultural, economic, social and other connections with the rest Caribbean,” he noted.
According to the Director General, they are convinced that from the accession negotiations, unparallel opportunities exist to increase cooperative in a wide range of areas, from tourism development to marketing of tourism statistics and the development of the health and wellness industries.
President of the Territorial Council of Guadeloupe, Ary Chalus described the accession as a historic moment for the Territory.
“Our shared history, geography, physical and human ties are self-evident in institutionalizing cooperation with our neighbours for the promise of a better future for our youth and the development of our people,” President Chalus said.
Chalus noted that his territory is determined to contribute to the vision shared by all of the member states, pointing to the promotion of the Green and Blue Economy as put forward to make the space of the Lesser Antilles sustainable territories.
“The triple Caribbean, French and European membership must be approached pragmatically because, like Martinique and Saint-Martin, it offers Guadeloupe real opportunities for its development while nourishing the contribution it intends to make within the OECS.
“Regional cooperation is not an accessory; we think it is inseparable from political action and it's even more natural that we share more than a geographical proximity.
“Shared education, training, health and realisation of our natural heritage and biodiversity strengthen our territories' capacities to respond to environmental challenges, improving public services and the resilience of populations to major natural hazards.”
