Regional Integration stakeholders convened on March 16th to discuss the current implementation status of the Indefinite Stay Regime and the Rights Contingent to the Free Movement of People Regime; two critical accomplishments of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) towards the full implementation of the Revised Treaty of Basseterre and the establishment of the OECS Economic Union.
In attendance at the 18th Meeting of the Free Movement of People Working Group were senior officials from the Immigration Departments of OECS Member States, representatives from the OECS Commission and four OECS Commissioners.
The Commission provided an update on progress towards the implementation of the Free Movement of People Regime and Member States were given the opportunity to directly address matters relevant to these discussions.
The meeting also received an update on the OECS Commission’s participation at the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) Regional Seminar and Workshop, which took place between January 31st and February 3rd 2017 in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda.
The Working Group addressed two major topics discussed at the ICAO Regional Meetings: the need for the harmonisation of Border Management Systems; and the need to enhance the security of national identification cards. OECS Member States took this opportunity to provide an update on ongoing national efforts toward the harmonisation of Border Security Systems and recommendations for advancing this matter were considered by the Group.
The OECS was represented at ICAO meetings by Senior Border Control Managers, including Chief Immigration Officers from Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The Commission was represented by Tourism Specialist Dr. Lorraine Nicholas and Regional Integration Specialist Mr. Clarence Henry.
Off course Dominica wouldnt attend because we like to deny OECS and CARICOM nationals entry based on trumped up allegations like they will bring evil and possess our children who not supposed to be at adult concerts anyway and take their souls for the devil.
The Working Group addressed two major topics discussed at the ICAO Regional Meetings: the need for the harmonisation of Border Management Systems; and the need to enhance the security of national identification cards. OECS Member States took this opportunity to provide an update on ongoing national efforts toward the harmonisation of Border Security Systems and recommendations for advancing this matter were considered by the Group.
The 18 meeting discussed the above major topics. I think the time has come for the conversation to be taken to the ordinary people of the region in order to educate us on the rights and privileges that we have been hearing so much about, but not experiencing as we move around in our “neighbourhood”.