PM Skerrit envisions visa free access between Russia and Caribbean

Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, has said that visa-free access between the Caribbean and Russia must be advanced if the two regions are to gain from relationships that are being built.

He was speaking at a panel discussion at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum now taking place in Russia.

“We have to advance the visa-free access to our countries, for us to see the benefits of this type of integration, this type of cooperation, we must advance visa-free access,” he stated.

He stated that it should not take a Russian investor six weeks to come to the Caribbean or vice versa.

“We must have the ease of movement in order for us to advance our economic cooperation,” he stated. “So from the Caribbean standpoint, we are prepared to engage in this visa-free regime that would enhance our relationship and enhance our business opportunities.”

The Prime Minister said flight connections between the region and Russia must also be looked at.

“How do we get to each other’s countries to each other’s region,” he stated. “We need to look at Latin America and the Carribean and determine who among us would be the hub, say for flights coming from Russia because we don’t expect flights from Russia to come to every one of our countries but there must be a hub and from that hub we can fly to different destination because communication and transportation is going to be very critical to advancing this level of investments and opportunities.”

However, Skerrit said for all of this to take place, a number of important elements must be in place, including political will.

“Of course, first and foremost there must be the political will and I daresay, from the Caribbean region from Caricom the there is the political will,” he noted. “And of course from the Russian side, there needs political will to advance this relationship from a political standpoint but very importantly from an economic standpoint.”

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57 Comments

  1. Long Lost Dominica
    June 7, 2017

    Everybody running from russia but Brainless want to go there…

  2. Sam
    June 7, 2017

    How exciting! Let me pack my bags then.

  3. Anthony P. Ismael
    June 6, 2017

    Let’s just say that this new diplomatic relationship bears some kind of fruit that benefits Dominica, how will the Russians travel to Dominica? By what means? Our airport cannot accommodate long range aircrafts. We do not have adequate hotels and restaurants. If we can entice the wealthy Russians to make Dominica one of their preferred vacation destinations, I’m all for it. I don’t think travel access to Russia is a top priority for Dominica and its neighboring islands.

  4. done&done
    June 6, 2017

    If you don’t have US secrets like Edward Snowden, then Russia has no interest in you. Stay home buddy.

  5. Carrotop
    June 5, 2017

    Russia will patrolling the waters, to keep the drug lords out, can’t you see a jet plane flying from Russia into your international airport, such a joke. The only people flying to Russia are your diplomats with a
    Their diplomatic passports.

  6. Malgraysa
    June 5, 2017

    The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, stated in its official communique of 2 June, ref. the meeting of their Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov with Roosevelt Skerrit, on the occasion when the former met with Francine Baron in Sochi in Nov. of last year:

    “We signed several important documents and the road map to promote our relationship”.

    What important documents, what road map? This does alarm me because of the existing MOU, never published, that we already have with- and our indebtness to the Rep. of China. Is Skerrit simply trying to box clever, attempting to play off one powerful nation against its equally powerful neighbor? He may be able to do that locally but in this case he would be totally out of his league. This is dangerous.

  7. Women Don't Play
    June 5, 2017

    For what the heck reason am I going to Russia that I need visa free entry? Mister it seems you only want to make it easier for your Russian/Dominicans to come here.
    Isn’t it ironic that when you are not interested in building an international airport in Dominica you want another Caricom country to be a hub for travel to Russia. “Who among US could be the hub?” Which us?
    You have international airport?
    It is said “see Paris and die” but me Russia hell no. I aint going there.

  8. Hamil
    June 5, 2017

    Who is God’s name want to go to Russia?Do we have passports to sell? Why don’t you get visa free entry to the US or Canada or France? Oh Lord have mercy on this poor child soul.

    • Idlyn
      June 6, 2017

      There is visa free for France for up to 90 days
      Aa

    • Russ carr
      November 1, 2018

      US or Canada WILL NEVER give visa free to Dominica … The PM is doing his best to make us access more and more countries better than nothing

  9. viewsexpressed
    June 5, 2017

    Skerrit Must Go silly sayings: “We have to advance the visa-free access to our countries, for us to see the benefits of this type of integration, this type of cooperation, we must advance visa-free access,”

    Dominicans Read this nonsense from Skerrit, busy running and flying here there and everywhere begging for friendship. What would Dominicans have to do with Russia, to do what…holidays? Skerrit is a loser and is hallucinating. If I recall we still do have an efficient running, well operated Psychiatrist Unit and Psychiatrist Doctor with able staff in Dominica!
    You see, Skerrit cannot go to the UK, USA, Canada, France and talk this nonsense because they are not rogue countries that give handouts to corrupt and questionable leaders. It is something similar to the same nonsense talk when he promoted Baroness Scotland towards his own benefit and wanting prominence on a reputation that has gone pass zero. So where is this so called Baroness Scotland?
    Dominicans, you understand?

  10. RastarMarn
    June 5, 2017

    So wait nuh Russia is all the way behind God’s back the weather there is atrocious and not to mentions the price of airfare to get to and from there is ridiculous,,,

    So you mean to tell me the same thing we can find in Russia we cannot find in Canada???

    https://www.cheapoair.com/fpnext/air/Listing/s/1/su/bc7e822d-8df7-4f27-b8f7-5e713c256c79

    https://www.cheapoair.com/fpnext/Air/Listing/s/2/su/d8602fb8-e10d-4df7-9cdd-ce5c932f46fa

    Who want’s to go to Russia, again and for what???

    But more importantly what does Russians have to do for Dominica or its inhabitant’s, we all remember when they tried to import them Russian made vehicles right???

    Garçon come back talking about how you go see about some strategic alliance with them Russians nuh where you see some marketable areas for farmers nuh or something to benefit people,,,

    Garçon you Fellows can fool some people some time but allyou cannot fool all the people all the time,,,

  11. Hmm
    June 5, 2017

    Oh yeah I forgot him and Putin are best buddies…

  12. June 4, 2017

    Russians would like to leave Russia; Skerrit wants to send Dominicans to Russia.Dominicans wake up.All these offers are made in order for Skerrit to keep his position.At the end of the day, we all will see that a visa to Russia is not beneficial to Dominicans.

  13. hmm
    June 4, 2017

    Sketel island. Anything for a dollar.

  14. Daughter of the soil
    June 3, 2017

    Why russia ? I smell a rat

  15. June 3, 2017

    Skerrit is a clown. A black man in Russia pretending to be important.

    They are laughing at him – not behind his back, but to his shameless dimpled face!

    That man is a disgrace to the world.

  16. Siberia or Chernobyl... Choose One
    June 3, 2017

    All you Dominicans don’t understand that Prime Minister, Doctor the Honourable Roosevelt M. Skerrit is the best strategic leader in the world.

    His two lovely children with his lovely wife First Lady Melissa Skerrit were born in the United States of America (USA) but carry Russian names. They have access to the USA and can travel almost anywhere in the world… His first son Malik is in private boarding school, no not public in the USA… Who vex bust :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: .

    Now our gracious leader is making way for us to get VISA FREE ENTRY to Russia. I am so proud of my leader always looking for the best for us. I just love my PM… who vex bust. :lol: :lol: :lol:

  17. My Two Cents In
    June 3, 2017

    It would be nice if the Dominica Consulate in New York would answer the phone to help people with their passport issues so they can travel to wherever permitted. For many many weeks, nobody is answering the phone, and I left a voicemail a very long time ago – nobody has returned the call.

  18. Andrew
    June 3, 2017

    Nobody wants to go to Russia.

  19. concern citizen
    June 3, 2017

    Those foolish Dominicans will drink what ever SKERRIT TELL THEM,
    AND WHY DIDEN’T HIS 2 CHILDREN BORN IN RUSSIA OR CHINA?

  20. Iamanidiot
    June 3, 2017

    Now our passports selling like hot bread to all Iranians under the sun you really think you should be traveling the world trying to get visa less entry for our passports ? OORRRR! you doing that because you said Linton damaged the reputation of the CBI and you want to be able to tell clients “Listen Mohammed, you can go to 190 countries with NO visa!!! ”

    Hmmmmm Think

  21. June 3, 2017

    RUSSIA?????????????????

  22. DA
    June 2, 2017

    What on god’s earth is wrong with Skerrit, this is it.Lord have mercy on us.
    I just don’t know what to say, but call on God to get us out of this situation.

  23. Dante Jones
    June 2, 2017

    Hahaha who in Dominica right now want to go to Russia? Reallly? What Russian in their right man want to invest in stagnant rock? Other than corrupt businessmen and crooks trying to escape international scrutiny.

  24. Patriot
    June 2, 2017

    Crisis Management. remember????? http://www.masinthecemetery.com/2017/06/skerrit-seeking-russian-dollars.html?spref=fb

    That PR about Skerritt in Russia they hope would erase Skerritt’s attempt to amend our electoral Laws, with the sole purpose of making BRIBERY and TREATING Right in our elections. Both acts are against the electoral Laws.

    Be focused on the issue of Electoral Reforms, providing Voter ID cards, cleaning the bloated Voters’ list, Equal access to the Nation’s media houses,- DBS, GIS, and Campaign Financing.

    No distractions will suffice. Always be on your P’s and Q’s, because Dominica and its people are facing unimaginable times. Our Rights must be protected more than ever.

  25. truththe
    June 2, 2017

    Russia want to use Dominica as a trans point. Dominicans open your eyes before its too late. China and Russia do not see eye to eye, we are heading for trouble. Russia want to be the power house for the world. Look out all our fredom will be taken from us including fredom to worship. Church leaders, christians speak out. Its indeed sheep in wolf clothing. My people, my people , pray hard we all will pass in it .
    Russia is all over the world meddling in the countries Election messing up all Governments, Putin is a danger to the world. May Almighty God defend our country.

  26. I'M NOT A PRIME MISTAKE!!!
    June 2, 2017

    This visa free travel to Russia by this rogue prime mistake is way out to selling passports to nationals of a country that’s full of money launderers and criminals! This man is just putting himself in harms way! The Russians don’t play to someone down,so continue to play with your life! Why do we need visa free entree to Russia anyway, all we need is proper governance of our island that will encourage legitimate investments so the nationals of Dominica can stay in their homeland and live comfortable!!!

  27. Nac Vibes
    June 2, 2017

    Skerrit is only looking out for more crooks to sell diplomatic passport to.
    Russians don’t want black man in their country, look how they killing those African students and harassing them to the point they fraid to walk the street alone. So all who want to take their visa free visit go right ahead.

  28. Sylvester Cadette
    June 2, 2017

    I applaud this approach. lay the groundwork for inviting investment for the airport.
    At an earlier comment I made yesterday on DNO I shared the following:

    I would also discuss ECONOMIC RESILIENCE, linking it with Climate Change and food security.
    Invariably, I would link food security with health and wellness, tourism. There is an increasingly booming Middle Class in Russia and they spend big. I see them in Barbados and recently, while on assignment in Punta Cana in Dominican Republic, at the resort the place was awash with tourists from Russian and East Bloc countries. How do I know? I speak their language (Russian) fluently and interacted with some of them.
    I would discuss AGRO PROCESSING & LIGHT MANUFACTURING (especially including ICT & electronic components). Russia & Ukraine is well known for Telecommunications and APP Development. How do I know? I was trained there :)
    I would discuss Renewable Energy: wind & solar to buttress what is being done in Geothermal & Hydro.

  29. Holiday Island Boy
    June 2, 2017

    Visa free travel to Russia is no big thing. I visited Russia without a visa. The visa was issued to the ship I traveled there on,and not to any individual. They go all out for that tourist dollar. It is much easier for a Caribbean person to get into Russia than into the United States of America.

  30. The Attack Dog
    June 2, 2017

    But if Skerrit was so serious about Russians being able to travel to Dominica visa free and vice versa, why when his madam was pregnant for their first child he did not take her to Russia so their son would have a Russian Passport instead of a US Passport? In case it was a mistake why didn’t he correct that with his second child and give her Russian citizenship? Why didn’t he move his first child with his previous girl to Russia instead of the US? Why did he buy a multi million condo in Russia so his family could reside there instead of NY? Skerrit keeps allowing intelligent leaders around the world to use him as their puppet, as an attack dog to attack the US and we in Dominica boasting of PM being the FIRST English speaking Caribbean leader to address the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum in Russia, not realizing that intelligent leaders like Dr, Gonzalves,, Dr. Keith Mitchell and others are just too smart to allow Russia and others to use them to attack the US for them

  31. June 2, 2017

    Is it of any value to us????

  32. %
    June 2, 2017

    YOU WILL SOON VISIT THE LITTLE FAT BOY, “Kim Jong Un” in North Korea!
    Skerrit i do not want any doggone visa to travel to Russia. What i want is FREE AND FAIR ELECTION!
    What i want is an end to TREATING and BRIBING.
    What i want is a stoppage to voter importation by the DLP.
    What i want is accountability and transparency with respect to my CBI funds…Its not Labour Party CBI funds. Its Dominicas.
    SKERRIT MUST GO!
    SKERRIT MUST GO!!
    SKERRIT MUST GO NOW!!

  33. Dorothy John Baptiste
    June 2, 2017

    Mr Roosevelt goes to Russia!! LOL! LOL! LOL!

  34. No name
    June 2, 2017

    So the Russians are going to have our passports now.

  35. June 2, 2017

    Sure….why not…..gateway to sell more Diplomatic Passports….to more crooks…..

  36. June 2, 2017

    In ancient Kemet, jealousy was the worst of all the sins destroying human kind, out of the 42 negative confessions the writers of the BIBLE took 10, because they couldn’t handle the rest, the BLACK man the true originators of the book is left wandering in the 4 corners of the world, because of the lack of knowledge . most of the comments, had they been in a position to, would also have their children born in the US,or canada. Now, does that make that child a better child or a better individual growing up? i don’t think so, ACCESS is the determing factor. The doors are being closed to all the points of destination we historically had access to, England, US, the USVI i can go on and on, globalization has made planet earth seems closer,and as a young improvished nation, all deliberations should be on the table, yes , political will, it must take moving forward.Like him or hate him, Mr Skerrit is becoming a statesman in your eyes, only time will tell how its going to play out.Bob.

  37. Hendricks ismael
    June 2, 2017

    The whole thing in a nut shell is what have we done for our selves in 40 yrs . From the beginning did we have a solid plan in place . We were not trained by the British to think for our selves and create and control our own industries . Number one the university of the westindes was created to create clerks to serve rich people that own all the hotels and small factories . Any where in the caribean any project over one million dollars the contract is given to a foreign country , so there will always be people like you begging for jobs . Gueest had a perfect model in dominica , guest who was incharge black people , did they learn any thing about the operations . There is nothing wrong with selling passport as long as you have smart people like Sam Raphael to create the jobs for the locals. We have to stop thinking like slaves and start thinking like smart people . We put an exclent plan for jass and carnival , why can’t we do the same for business , we are waiting for one man to save…

  38. Samantha_R
    June 2, 2017

    PM, While u up there bring me a new red DJI Spark i will come for it at the red clinic. :mrgreen:

  39. REAL!!!!!!
    June 2, 2017

    Skerrit your Party in Dominica cannot solve the travel access problem from these major markets USA, Canada & UK to Dominica for locals and Tourist.

    Also the transportation issues around Dominicans good and services to be exported to these same countries.

    But you want to address the flight access from Russian to Caribbean.

    Plenty GRAND STANDING in this area without a proven track record of solving it in Dominica.

  40. Mary Black
    June 2, 2017

    Russia worst place for PM to go and sale Da’s passport the KGB good luck to us all Dominicans. Let him go and mess with Puttin he must remember Dominica has no arms neither arm to fight against Russia.

  41. UDOHREADYET
    June 2, 2017

    One must expand his/her horizons.
    Dominica has had good relations with the US since the beginning of time yet we have to struggle to get US visas and they can visit Dominica without visas! that old relationship is a one way street!

    Dominicans can now travel to the EU/Europe without visas s why not Russia.
    this old idea of one sided blind support for countries that support us on paper but not in actions are long gone.
    If Dominicans want a brighter future they need to broaden their reach to every part of the world and not just depend on one set of people to trade and do business with!

  42. June 2, 2017

    New passport market??

  43. Cheche
    June 2, 2017

    Right…this is definitely a priority for Dominica and the Caribbean. For years we have all been clamoring to access Russia, and the Visa process has been SUCH an impediment

    ….SAYS NO DOMINICAN PERSON…EVER! Clearly, we need the “back story” on why Skerrit is in Russia. More passport sales? More “mystery” diplomats?

    • UDOHREADYET
      June 2, 2017

      Say you!
      One must expand his/her horizons.
      Dominica has had good relations with the US since the beginning of time yet we have to struggle to get US visas and they can visit Dominica without visas! that old relationship is a one way street!

      Dominicans can now travel to the EU/Europe without visas s why not Russia.
      this old idea of one sided blind support for countries that support us on paper but not in actions are long gone.
      If Dominicans want a brighter future they need to broaden their reach to every part of the world and not just depend on one set of people to trade and do business with!

    • dee
      June 3, 2017

      ”who among us will be the hub”
      what Mister worrying about being able to travel from Russia for there nah ?
      Charles Douglas Airport will be the HUB, everybody know dat 8) :) :cry: :cry:

    • June 3, 2017

      With Maduro’s regime collapsing, I would guess he’s looking for replacements to Venezuela as a donor country. There’s also possible FDI from individual Russian oligarchs.

    • “Right…this is definitely a priority for Dominica and the Caribbean. For years we have all been clamoring to access Russia,”

      I do not wish to say anything insulting to you; but I need to ask you!

      Are you serious? From which island in the Caribbean are people clamoring to go to Russia?

      Why are some of us so stupid? Perhaps the next time Melissa, want to give birth to her child she does not want to be born in Dominica, instead of sending her to New York, both of them can travel to Russia without a visa.

  44. June 2, 2017

    Yea right !!!!

  45. Sa y sa mwem
    June 2, 2017

    HOW am I benefiting from traveling to Russia visa-free..of all the things needed in Dominica traveling visa free to Russia is not priority on my list..I need a better medical facility, jobs among others..but like a said before .. a promise is a comfort to a fool. .but remember it may be long but it won’t last FOREVER….

    • viewsexpressed
      June 5, 2017

      Skerrit and his cabal are opportunists……..They are politically lazy and incompetent to know how best to take care of their own backyard and keep begging neighbours over their rotten walls.
      Skerrit Must Go

  46. done&done
    June 2, 2017

    So why wasn’t his child born in Russia instead of America? Mister keeps fooling the fools and they laugh, gee gee gee. damn S’s. :twisted:

    • Sa y sa mwem
      June 2, 2017

      I don’t understand at all..but Dominicans want everything already made so they will always get fooled..

      • The Darkness
        June 2, 2017

        I want a ready-made Prime Minister to go… With extra positivity… don’t hold back.

    • Siberia or Chernobyl... Choose One
      June 3, 2017

      Did you mean dunce&duncer… who more chupid, dunce or duncer… leave my PM alone and let him sell out our Sovereignty to the Russian mafia… more siwo. We love this PM for creating the best economy in the world PASSPORT EXPORTS, just sell passport n no hard work… if you love our PM hit me up. Aye aye UWPwi not in that man… Green tag and Red tag alone it have man…

      DNO where the blue tag??? :lol: :lol: :lol:

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