Manning on whirlwind trip to five CARICOM states
published:
Tuesday | August 26, 2008
MANNING... hosted a mini-summit with new partners.
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Patrick Manning Monday embarked on a whirlwind 36-hour visit to five CARICOM countries to press his case for a political and economic union, as he seeks support between his country and three members of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States.
Manning is seeking support from The Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, Haiti and Suriname for the initiative that includes St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada.
Outcome of talks
"The heads of those countries will be briefed on the outcome of multilateral talks held in Port-of-Spain on (August 14)...which explored issues related to the Single Market and Economy, political integration and regional air transportation," a release from the Office of the Prime Minister said.
Trinidad and the three other CARICOM countries have declared their intent to establish a political union by 2013, insisting that their move would not be detrimental to the wider regional integration movement.
Economy achievement
Last week, Manning met with the leaders of Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis and Dominica to discuss the initiative that also includes the achievement of the single economy by 2011.
"Participation in this framework is open to all member states of the Caribbean Community wishing to commit to the achievement of the single economy and appropriate political integration within indicative time frames," according to the communiqué issued after the Port- of-Spain meeting.
Former St Lucia prime minister and former University of the West Indies senior lecturer, Professor Vaughan Lewis and Trinidad and Tobago diplomat Dr Cuthbert Joseph have been 'mandated to prepare a study by the end of 2008' regarding the proposed initiative.
Manning, who is leading a delegation, including his Foreign Minister, Paula Gopee-Scoon, is due to return here on Tuesday night."
However the main opposition United National Congress Alliance has criticised the trip, describing it as "a waste of taxpayer's money".
"The cost of this is phenomenal, that money could be used in a clean up plan to prevent dengue.
Mr Manning should not be gallivanting on this issue while his government neglects flooding, dengue and crime," said Opposition Chief Whip Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj.
