B.V.I. Monday, May 18 – The Government of the Virgin Islands (UK) will this week host the 49th Meeting of the OECS Authority, which is the highest decision-making body of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

Speaking on the subject on a recent Public Eye programme, Premier Honourable Ralph T. O’Neal, OBE said the meeting provides an opportunity for OECS leaders to meet their colleagues and discuss issues pertinent to the organisation.

Among the agenda items are the adoption of the Report of the 48th Meeting of the Authority, and discussion on the merging of Trinidad and Tobago into the OECS Economic Union and the implications of the global financial crisis on the economies of OECS member states.

“We are going to talk about the future of the OECS especially now with this downturn in the economy and the financial crisis; we are going to talk about the staffing of the OECS Secretariat and we are going to talk about how to bring the islands closer together and trying to help those that need help like Montserrat,” the Premier said.

The Heads are also expected to have discussions with Barbadian Prime Minister Honourable David Thompson and United States Virgin Islands Governor Honourable John P. deJongh  Jr. on the issue of functional cooperation.

This issue as well as education and the Pharmaceutical Procurement Service are among the many benefits Honourable O’Neal said are to be derived from membership of the OECS.

“When you talk about functional cooperation, that is one of the things that the OECS is very good at,” the Premier said.

Providing details on the Pharmaceutical Procurement Service, Honourable O’Neal explained “we are able to purchase our pharmaceuticals at a much cheaper rate than if we were ordering them directly by ourselves because the OECS buys in bulk.”

He added “I am sure you know that drugs can be expensive so there we do have a very good benefit and we are very pleased with that.”

On the subject of education, the Premier said “the OECS sponsors various seminars, consultancies and institutions that we use very often and assist us to prepare our people through various scholarships.”

Another issue the Premier highlighted was the existence of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (ECSC) and the fact that the Territory is now the headquarters for the Commercial Court, a division of the ECSC.

The 49th Meeting of the OECS Authority officially opens with a ceremony at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College Auditorium on Wednesday at 5:00 p.m. Delegates will then meet at the Treasure Isle Hotel on Thursday and Friday for discussions.

The OECS was established on June 18, 1981 with the signing of the Treaty of Basseterre by seven countries, names, Antigua and Barbuda, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The organisation is now a nine-member grouping with the Virgin Islands and Anguilla becoming associate member in 1984 and 1995 respectively. By virtue of its associate membership, the Virgin Islands are excluded from OECS discussions on foreign affairs.