Heads of Government of CARICOM Meet in St. Lucia

The fortieth ordinary meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM is underway in Saint Lucia.  The CARICOM Single Market and Economy which aims to facilitate the free flow of goods and people, as well as the situation in Venezuela and Haiti are also on the agenda of this meeting. Belize is being represented by Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington.  CARICOM’s Secretary General Irwin LaRocque touched on C.S.M.E. during the opening of the session earlier today.

Irwin LaRocque, CARICOM Secretary General

“Progress in advancing the CSME must be on the bedrock of a safe and secure economy.  Concerns about crime and security have a common thread throughout the member states.  We have been making every effort at the regional level to enhance our cooperation and to put in place our security architecture to combat the scourge.  An important feature of that architecture are the legal instruments which have been agreed which are still awaiting more signatures to come into force.  Following a special summit on security this May, this meeting will receive proposals aimed at deepening the security cooperation in addressing transnational and domestic crime.  We must be prepared legally and operationally to defy those who are intent on disrupting our society and destroying our way of life.  The threats to our society are not only posed by crime and security.  The blacklisting of some of our member states and associate member as non-cooperative tax jurisdictions is a clear and direct threat to the economic well being of those countries.”

Caribbean Newsline will have further details on the CARICOM Conference.