Opposition updated on OECS Economic Union

Members of the Opposition New Democratic Party (NDP) have been updated on developments with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States Economic Union, which came into effect in January 2011.{{more}}

Ellsworth I. A. John, the Director of the Regional Integration and Diaspora Unit (RIDU) in the Office of the Prime Minister, accompanied by four members of his staff, conducted the briefing, which took place at Democrat House on Friday, April 28.

This is the second time RIDU has briefed the opposition on the OECS.

Among the issues discussed was the inaugural session of the OECS Assembly, which takes place on June 15, 2012 in Antigua and Barbuda.

In keeping with Article 10 of the Revised Treaty of Basseterre, an OECS Assembly must be established to act as a filter for the passage of legislation at the regional level that would be binding on all the member states of the OECS. The OECS Assembly comprises five elected parliamentarians from each of the member states, with the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition being two of the members from each country.

Last Friday, Leader of the Opposition Arnhim Eustace and Member of Parliament for the Northern Grenadines Godwin Friday travelled to St Lucia for a meeting of opposition members on the Assembly with the Chairman of the OECS Dr Kenny Anthony, to discuss logistics for the inaugural session.

Ambassador John took the opportunity to update the opposition members on progress regarding free movement of persons within the OECS, free circulation of goods, the new governance structure enabled by the establishment of the OECS Commission and the expectations regarding enhanced private sector activities.

As of August 1, 2011, all citizens can move across the OECS with a national ID, Driver’s License or a passport and must be granted unlimited stay and can not be discriminated against for work opportunities. All of the member states, except Antigua and Barbuda, now have in place the administrative and legislative arrangements for implementation of free movement. Antigua and Barbuda is expected to complete their legislative arrangement in the next two months.

The free circulation of goods comes into effect in June 2013.

The attendees at the briefing were very engaged in the discussion.

Ambassador John committed to future briefing by RIDU of the leadership of the NDP and its members on the OECS. Both the NDP and the ruling Unity Labour Party (ULP) have repeatedly stated their commitment to the OECS economic Union.