Director General (DG) of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS ), Dr. Len Ishmael, has said it is “no surprise that the last ten years has been a real journey” for the OECS.
She made her comments as she addressed journalists in Dominica at the Garraway Hotel on Thursday.
“I think, that it is fair to say that ten years ago, we were not as self assured as we are today…much has been accomplished even if much is still to be done,” she said.
Dr. Ishmael explained that in 2008, when it was very clear that the financial crisis was taking shape, many member states and countries around the world took steps away from the principle of “integration” and became very “nationalistic” in their own views about the world.
“In the OECS, we did something that was remarkable and quite different, we accelerated the pace of deepening the union between us and we formed an economic union … and so I think that it is fair to say that a lot has been accomplished since the revised Treaty of Basstere was signed into domestic law some two years ago,” she said.
OECS people, she remarked, have the rights of “movement” and economic union is not done “over night” since it takes quite a bit of time to get it perfect. “The journey continues to ensue that the economic union delivers on its promise to better the social and economic prospects for this tiny region that we call home,” Dr. Ishmael stated.
According to her, many years ago, it was the view that as a “small region” our future lay with CARICOM.
“I am saying that we felt very strongly many years ago, that our portals through the rest of the world was through the strengths of CARICOM; we no longer feel that way. We feel very passionately and strongly that the strategic interest which are that of the OECS are articulated, championed and advocated by the OECS for itself,” she remarked.
Dr. Ishmael, who demits office after ten years as DG of the OECS, showered praises on member states of the OECS, in particular Dominica, for its work and the way it has continued to champion the cause and progress of the OECS.
While the idea of this regional integration is great, the islands have not made tangible efforts to effect this idea. We have seen time and time again the difficulty with which we are made to travel through the OECS for jobs, school etc.. There’s still a lot to be done on this front.
DNO I also note that Dr Ishmael said that the support of Dominica and that of the Roosevelt Skerrit administration has been just incredible, been professional, it’s been incredible personal and she has worked most closely with with Dominica.
She said that Skerrit’s support and that of Cabinet, other officials and the people of Dominica to the work of the OECS has been second to none.
She then stated that Dominica stands for integration, understands the importance of it, Dominica has stood firm when it needed to push the envelope on the regional front and agenda and has demonstrated a real leadership role.
It was her opinion that Dominica has done and continues to do make it unique and special in eco-tourism and is second to none; she said that Dominica’s support as a country has been really, really, seriously – a condition for our success.
Such nice words for our country – but you have left it out of your articles.
Why?
on another note admin… check this out!!!!http://www.trinidadexpress.com/news/ITS-A-FAKE-225292012.html turns our liats former general manager fabricated his IT degree from the University of Massachusetts.
LIAT??
Can’t you read ? its not LIAT it’s AATT and Caribbean Airlines.
I think you are the one who cannot read what the person said “…turns our liats …”
Well, said.
we still cannot move freely in Antigua and Barbuda. we still have to get work permit to work. when are you going to do something about that.
Exactly ! Talk shop! I how we can get a hair cut now to see de ears.