CARICOM concerned about slow pace of EU payments – Skerrit

Skerrit. *Sean Douglas photo

(DNO)

CARICOM Chairman Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit says the region has made a case for disbarment of funds from the European Union to be reviewed.

Prime Minister Skerrit says the matter was discussed in Spain on Monday, when heads met for the EU-CARIFORUM Summit in Spain.

“We raised the matter in respect to the slowness in the disbursement of funds. In some cases we would have everything required by us in terms of the financing agreement but because of the rules, it takes time,” he said.

Skerrit said similar challenges are being faced by other countries.

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10 Comments

  1. Nathaniel Peltier
    May 21, 2010

    Jayson, you sound like someone who is so happy about the situation we are in. That you are talking about “OUR Damn Money”. I wished it was money that was owed to us because we had worked for it.
    Come on man I am not trying to say I am a wise man as it does not take a wise man to see things as it is.
    On another note, “Look” in this case I am saying yes because these are the countries that make up the EU and they are the ones that actually put up the funds.

    • Jayson
      May 21, 2010

      I admit that I sounded very crude and ignorant, and for that I apologize, but the reality of it is that Mr. Skerrit has a job to do, which is to look out for the people of Caricom that he represents.

      I’m sure Caricom chose their words very carefully in presenting their ‘concerns’ at the EU Cariforum summit, being mindful of the situation in Greece. It would be somewhat disheartening to think that they went up there bold-faced and said point-blank : ” you all taking too long to give us the dineros!”

  2. S. holmes
    May 20, 2010

    well said, ..how long were flights grounded in europe when the volcano was acting up?

    who knows how much money was lost for that period in the air-line industry… i wonder if all this may

    have caused or helped the euro to dropped?

  3. boney
    May 20, 2010

    Insted of depending on the EU which at this moment have more Financial problem than a drug addic, they should do something for themselvesnot just waiting for handouts. And with this niw Government in England they have to wait longer. Talking of promices what about the woman at bells that they suppose to pay for her land now you know how she feels, dominica shoould not need money from the EU wtth all that money they say China and Chavez giving them.

  4. look
    May 20, 2010

    What you said make lot of sense Peltier, but at the same time we have to look out for our selves. Do you mean we should wait untill all other bussiness of other countries are done before we put some pressure. In my opinion the prime minister is right.

  5. Cassandra
    May 20, 2010

    Couldn’t agree more mr. Peltier! These E.U. payments come out of European tax payers’ money and posturing as if we are being done an injustice by slow disbursement does not create a lot of goodwill with the donors. Maybe some of us feel that there is an obligation on the part of the E.U. to pay us but if so on what grounds?. By our own admission we are beggars,maybe very good at it and dressed in fancy clothes but beggars all the same! So, let’s become truly professional beggars and use diplomacy to milk this cow for what it is worth!

  6. Nathaniel Peltier
    May 20, 2010

    I do not know if Caricom and our prime minister have been hiding there heads in the sand while the events of the world go flying pass them. The European Union has more problems than Dominica and a lot of other Caricom countries at present.
    I find it rather disrespectful on the part of Caricom to be complaining about the slow disbursement of fund when on the Europe is fighting to avoid its member from going bankrupt and saving the Euro.
    Greece just averted bankruptcy through help from the Eu and the World bank and IMF and there are other countries in line. The Euro has fallen dramatically in the last 3 weeks and Caricom is worried about slow disbursement.
    We are already begging we do not have to be as well disrespectful especially under the circumstances.
    I think it would be helpful for the Caricom member our PM to look at the website below and then apologize.
    http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,5515912,00.html

    I think even if you are promised something one has to be considerate.

    • Anonymous
      May 20, 2010

      I think you missed the point. He is talking about the “red tape” that follows after the approval of funding. Be it loans or grants. It can take sometimes years for disbursement.

      This has been a long time criticism of Caricom and other beneficiary countries. It is irrelevant to the economic situation in Europe.

    • May 20, 2010

      TOTALLY AGREE!!!! given the poor economic state of the world economy and the financial difficulties that Europe is combatting.

    • Jayson
      May 20, 2010

      So when, in all your devine wisdom, would be the best time to ask for our damn money??!!

      When civilization collapses and we start trading in shells again?

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