BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, FEBRUARY 22ND 2011 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas says several issues down for discussion at this week’s 22nd Inter-Sessional of Caribbean Heads of Government in Grenada all require timely discussion, analysis, and action.
“Some of these issues are new and some are ongoing, but in need of executive oversight and refinement. What they all share, however, is a centrality to CARICOM’s overall quest for cohesion and stability: Haiti. The Permanent Committee of CARICOM Ambassadors, The Caribbean Court of Justice, British American and CLICO and the constitutional dimensions of the Turks and Caicos situation,” said Prime Minister Douglas during his weekly radio call-in programme “Ask the Prime Minister.”
Dr. Douglas said Caribbean leaders will also address the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, regional health and development issues - particularly as they pertain to the establishment of the Caribbean Public Health Agency and climate change.
The meetings in Grenada from Thursday, (February 24- ) to Saturday (February 26) are The Prime Ministerial sub-committee on the CARICOM Single Market and Economy on Thursday, February 24 and the CARICOM Inter- Sessional Planning Meeting over two days, February 25 and 26.
The CSME sub-committee’s role is to focus on the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) across the community in line with the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas (2001). Chaired by Barbados, other member states are: Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda; Dominica, St. Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago.
The meeting agenda includes the progress in free movement so far, public education and buy-in for the CSME and the strategic plan for regional development.
The sub-committee is also expected to address follow-up action to an appraisal that was done on the readiness of members to implement the CSME regime. The appraisal was conducted by the CARICOM Secretariat in 2009.
The Inter -Sessional Planning Meeting pursues agenda items ahead of the annual heads of government meeting in July this year.
