ST.GEORGE’S Grenada, March 29th 2011 - The Grenada Government has named Mr. William Joseph, as the country’s Ambassador to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Prime Minister Tillman Thomas announced the decision today, during the government’s weekly Post Cabinet Media Briefing. The Prime Minister said the appointment is in keeping with the OECS move to deepen the integration process and ensure the proper functioning of the organs of the Organisation.

Prime Minister Thomas said Mr. Joseph will head a soon-to-be established Integration Unit, designed to manage and coordinate the relationship with and activities of both CARICOM and the OECS. He will also be Grenada’s representative on the OECS commission.

“Mr. Joseph will contribute to a variety of activities associated with Grenada’s membership of both organizations, which under the new arrangements is a requirement of each member state,” the Prime Minister told the media. 

The Prime Minister was reporting on a Heads of Government meeting in Antigua last Friday, at which a decision to create an OECS Commission to replace the St. Lucia-based OECS Secretariat and the setting up and staffing of various organs of the OECS were discussed.

Prime Minister Thomas said the Heads also discussed joint representation in some of the major capitals of the world, including Brussels, and the relocation of the OECS High Commission in Ottawa, Canada, to Toronto.

 
“We are negotiating on ways of sharing costs through the rationalizing of office space and premises in some capitals. We are also seeking an accommodation in which we can reduce our activities in Ottawa and consolidate our Counsels General in Toronto, so we can reduce on expenditure,” the Prime Minister said.

The Grenadian leader said the emphasis will be on creating savings while emphasizing joint representation.