American and French diplomats raise EPA and proposed
Trinidad-OECS Integration with PM Douglas
 |
| St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas (left) in discussion with United States Ambassador Her Excellency Mary Ourisman |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 24TH 2008 (CUOPM) – The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the proposed economic and eventual political union of Trinidad and Tobago and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) were the major issues raised by American and French Ambassadors with St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affiars, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas.
United States Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis, Her Excellency Mary Ourisman and France’s Ambassador, Her Excellency Michele Sauteraud, who were in Basseterre to attend 25th Independence Anniversary Celebrations, called on Prime Minister Douglas.
The EPA is a trade agreement between the European Union and Caribbean Community (CARICOM) nations plus the Dominican Republic. St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda and Belize are among several countries that have indicated their decision to sign.
Trinidad and Tobago has proposed an economic and eventual political
 |
| St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas meets with French Ambassador Her Excellency Michele Sauteraud |
union with Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and Grenadines and the other OECS member countries.
It follows the declaration in Port of Spain by the Prime Ministers of those four countries to pursue economic and political integration. The economic union is projected to be in place by 2011 and the political integration by 2013.
Prime Minister Douglas and Ambassador Ourisman, who is based in Barbados also discussed local, regional and international security issues and the upcoming meeting in New York between Caribbean leaders and United States Secretary of State, the Hon. Condoleezza Rice.
Development aid was also discussed with the French diplomat, who is based in St. Lucia.
~~Adz:Left~~
