Brexit among agenda items of PM Skerrit as CARICOM Chairman

British politician, Nigel Farage, holds up a placard as he launches his party's campaign for Britain to leave the European Union on May 20. Photo: AP
British politician, Nigel Farage, holds up a placard as he launches his party’s campaign for Britain to leave the European Union on May 20. Photo: AP

Britain’s exit from the European Union (EU) is among on the agenda of Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit, as he assumes the chairmanship of CARICOM, effective July 1.

In a live interview on Kairi FM news on Friday morning, he said the regional bloc has a number of critical items that must be addressed but he said it is important that the vote to leave the EU by the British people, commonly known as Brexit, be studied closely.

“So I believe that it is important that CARICOM studies and analyses very closely the possible implications for the Caribbean community,” he said. “So that is an important matter that we hope to discuss.”

Skerrit also said he hopes to examine regional transportation.

“This is a major concern for CARICOM nationals and therefore we need to find a way of addressing this issue,” he stated.

He said there is the issue of high taxes in CARICOM countries and the issue of hassle-free travel which must be addressed.

“If we need to move close to integration, to allow for the single market to be fully operational and successful then we must find mechanisms to allow for the hassle-free travel or movement of people, goods and services,” Skerrit said. “And we have been having some difficulties in CARICOM with this particular matter.”

He stated that issue of the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) will be examined.

“We created the CCJ, we have been financing it, that is to say, every member state of CARICOM, but there are several countries that have not joined on to the Caribbean Community and I believe it is important for us to call on the rest of CARICOM to move forward towards their country recognizing the CCJ as their final court,” he remarked.

He stated that there are positive signs in the recognition of the CCJ but pointed out there is a majority of CARICOM countries that have not recognized the CCJ.

The health of the region will also be on the agenda, Skerrit said.

“We are very concerned about the fact that we are getting more and more people getting sick within the Caribbean Community, particularly with regards to chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCD),” he noted, adding that it must be placed on high on the agenda of CARICOM leaders to find a common strategy to combat the problem.

He described non-communicable diseases as “a major threat to our economies” which create a challenge to the labour force in the region.

“Therefore we have to work together to see how we can combat the prevalence of CNCD within our region,” he stated.

Other issues include the security of the region and the education system.

Skerrit will chair the 37th CARICOM Heads of Government meeting in Georgetown, Guyana from 4 – 6 July 2016.

The CARICOM Chairmanship is rotated among Heads of Government on a six-month basis.

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23 Comments

  1. Erasmus B. Black
    July 1, 2016

    Per yesterday’s news, the Dear Leader expressed concern that “efforts (were ) underway at the OAS to undermine Venezuela.” The 15 member states of Caricom who are also member states of the OAS, represent a significant bloc of votes within that organization. Can the Dear Leader can now use his significant influence as Caricom chairman and put Venuzuela on the agenda and get a committment from Caricom to influence any further efforts within the OAS to further undermine Venezueka?

  2. Friday
    July 1, 2016

    Every time this guys speaks all I hear is blah blah blah blah…

    • So let it be written so let it be done
      July 1, 2016

      Could not agree more.
      The guy needs therapy. H fell through the political crack in 2004 after Pierro’s DEATH.
      THERE WERE MANY LAIR LAWYERS WHO SAW HIM SLIPPING THRU BUT SAID NOTHING.
      I recommend a change in the constitution which would make certain no one with speech pathology/impediment can become a minister in gov’t let alone the P.m.
      So in the future no JA CAN TELL US NO LAW NO CONSTITUTION BLA BLA BLA
      that’s WHAT WE GOT FOR ALLOWING LESSER BEINGS BECOMING PALARMENTARIANS.
      TAKE IT DA WHAT u SOW IS WHAT u GET.

  3. Sylvester Cadette
    July 1, 2016

    This is a very proactive approach by the Prime Minister from a national perspective and by him in his capacity as Chair of CARICOM as a collective. This is a very serious shift in European and global geo-politics and trans-continental trade that could never be ignored. I am appalled that individuals would mix other unrelated domestic political concerns with this epic shift in global trade relations and its repercussions it WILL UNDOUBTEDLY HAVE on CARICOM Economies. This would be mixing apples and oranges. This is not to negate concerns of nationals on other domestic political matters, whether legitimate or otherwise.
    The implication for trade, immigration, EU assistance and probably more importantly, how to ensure greater cohesiveness, self reliance and having a clear agenda for moving forward is indeed the critical issue.
    I applaud the move by the Prime Minister but I agree with SHAKA ZULU that CARICOM needs to wake from its very long slumber. I pray success at the next Summit.

    • Shaka Zulu
      July 1, 2016

      Sylvester, we have to ask ourselves in the 20 years of EU existence what sort of trade we or any islands had. Bananas which were msinly exportes to GB died. While Germany and England, the two largest EU economies were doing fine the other countries were strugling with high unemployment, and inflated welfare program and high taxes. Look at Greece for example. Before we talk about effects on trade examine how much trade we currently have with EU. Norway is not part of EU and they doing fine. Breaking away from EU does not mean the 500 million people disappear and they no longer need goods and services. It may be better for the Caribbean in that they can set up individual markets instead of one dictated by a bureaucracy. The elephant in the room is a one europe is a counter balance to rise of Russian and Chinese power. Attack one European country the rest have no choice. Ask yourself this. Like caricom has EU made the lives of its member states any better? The global markets have…..

      • Shaka Zulu
        July 1, 2016

        only distant the wealth gap. The greatest cause of instability in society is when there are few with all and many with little. According to our PM we depend on EU for charitable benifits. Thats it. Hence since 1973 we have become increasingly dependant. This to me is a failure of caricom. Look how long and we cannot get full agrement on the CCJ. We have to look within to find our place in global geo-politics. We should be capitalizing on the absence of war and chaos in the Caribbean to get tourist in. We should find ways to sell Caribbean tourism as a package so the islands without international airports can get visitors by ferries, private boats/ planes and other means. Skeritt has so many ideas for caricom and the only thing he has managed to do is beg. Give me a break!!! Talking about brexit is a false impression on knowledge of international affairs. It will do nothing to change anything in caricom.

      • Sylvester Cadette
        July 1, 2016

        Hi Shaka Zulu, I see We both studied Geography and Economic Geography :-D (before I decided to go into Telecoms). You are right on the one hand that there was trade imbalances in many areas but does that diminish the impact of the shift – no it doesn’t. I had the opportunity to witness first hand the impact of the EU as I traversed Europe in the 1990’s. the impact on immigration and free movement among the EU Bloc. I had the opportunity also to see the shift of the WARSAW Pact ( I travelled throughout Poland, Czechoslovakia, Belarrussia and the East Bloc) and The geopolitical shift was phenomenal. The same was true when I witnessed the changes in the south (Bulgaria, Romania etc) after glastnost and Perestroika. I say this to say that whenever there are changes of such proportion it will have serious effects for the standalone country. I wish we had the opportunity to discuss this thoroughly.

      • Sylvester Cadette
        July 1, 2016

        Further, as to impact on CARICOM, as country seek to consolidate internally, an exclusionist policy will prevail and such hegemony is not a welcome scenario for trade – even for harmony in Europe, leave alone for CARICOM. Just look at the history of Europe going back 500-600 years. At the beginning of every century there is an upheaval of hegemony of one sort or the other leading to war. Europe is again at that cross roads. The signs are all over Europe. The EU countries will seek to consolidate their internal affairs – even those who will remain part of the EU. This will spell little attention to ACP Countries, little attention to SIDs, very little attention to trading Blocs like CARICOM.

        So while I understand your general argument on the imbalance of trade (gross imbalance as per CARICOM), it does not negate the fact that geo-politically this epic shift will shake up Britain and the entire Europe – CARICOM REGION TOO.
        I hope it allows for a realigning of our development vision

      • Shaka Zulu
        July 2, 2016

        I agree there is not enough space here to discuss this. To your point that thiis will spell little attention to ACP Countries, little attention to SIDs, very little attention to trading Blocs like CARICOM. ACP has largest market its about time member countries implement workable solutions and stop the philosophy of dependency. I agree there will be impacts but after all is said and done Britain will be fine. In the old days cessation meant civil war. Today all it takes is a vote/referendum. Europe cannot stomach a war and i think they will work in best interest of all. Mean time all these organizations, CARICOM, ACP, EU, etc need to do some re-examination and adjustments to reach out to citizens not jusy a few political elites.

    • MOUCHE MIEL
      July 1, 2016

      YOU OUGHT TO HAVE BEEN ON THE TRIP TO BE HIS BRAIN.

    • Concern citizen
      July 1, 2016

      Sylvester cadette I am surprise to hear the kind of things that is being spewed from ur mouth, U were not raised to support corruption U were well brought up in a CHRISTIAN home what lead U to be supporting that,……………………….My brother people like U can pretend that U don’t know what is going on in D/ca but U all can’t full no one. I want U to remember this quote from the bible and I quote “Proverbs 15: verse 3 says the eyes of the LORD are in every place beholding the evil and the good ” you not hearing all the things that is going on in ur country of birth it’s not trouble in U? Your father was a pastor your Mother was a Sunday School teacher but U still not seeing light, if Sis. Anthony was there today she would surely spank U in the butt

      • Sylvester Cadette
        July 3, 2016

        :-D :-D Concerned Citizen You noticed I never hide? You should not hide either. Jesus never hid if he wanted to admonish. The prophets never hid to admonish either. So Please Identify yourself and not be so frightened to speak.

        In any event, what is it that was spewed from my mouth that was so offensive to you or negates Biblical Teachings. To say that the PM was right to call for a discussion on the impact of The BREXIT Vote in Britain on CARICOM. And you said I am trying to fool someone? I am sorry you may very well have the wrong address my friend. I have a feeling you did not read what I wrote correctly, and if you did, then you did not comprehend because you were caught up in petty politics and you even brought in my parents :lol: :lol: :lol: WOW!!

        Dominicans have so confused themselves with tribal politics that we can’t seem to have a level headed, intellectual discussion.

        O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you…

  4. bigger
    July 1, 2016

    There we go again you are called to chair an important caricom meeting . You are clearly an international man, only in Dominica where small Island mentality flourish you will find ignorance and disrespect towards you PM but then again if you cast pearls before swines they will trod all over it

    • Shaka Zulu
      July 1, 2016

      I agree with you 1000%. It because of his international appeal he became the punjabee dr. Only in Dominica where small Island mentality flourish you will see such a pm elected so many times. He would never survive in an informed society. He keep casting pearls cause in is mind he see Dominicans just as you descibed them. Swines.!!!! Here you go. :wink: As long as they do not agree with him they are swines and traitors and roaches.

    • Erasmus B. Black
      July 1, 2016

      It’s a rotating chairmanship every six months. Every leader gets a chance to be chairman at least every two years.

    • Anti-corruption #1
      July 1, 2016

      Bigger, by now you should know that chairmanship of Caricom, OECS and Monetary Council are rotational. It has nothing to do with being international. Please do a little research before commenting. I am amazed at the large # of Dominicans who continue to be so gullible.

  5. Shaka Zulu
    July 1, 2016

    There us nothing to study about brexit. How about brining up ALBA. You were famous for giving other governments in caricom grief for not embracing ALBA and all its free money. Venezuela in crisis. CARICOM need fresh ideas, fresh blood to move out of its plate tectonics pace. In light of Brexit caricom leaders should ask themselves these questions. Since its existence in 1973 has it improved the lives and living conditions of majority of its people (statistics and measurements)? Has it achieved its desired effect? Has integration and inter island travel improved? Liat should not be struggling. Why is there not a Caribbean stock market where Caribbean citizens can buy shares in hotel development and tourism products instead of island government trading on a few miserable national electricity companies? Why has UWI not made any research breakthroughs since established? Why are we not the largest supplier of agri, and sea food products to the wealthiest market in the world thats…

    • Shaka Zulu
      July 1, 2016

      a stone throw away? We are surrounded by water and have a large diaspora already in that market. As a Geography teacher and student teaching Caribbean Geography CARICOM in my view cannot be successful if wages continue to stay low and unemployment continue to stay high. The full potential of uwi cannot be reached if we dont invest in talented research that focus on carribean development. We will continue to loose smart people to higher paying jobs in north America. That income gradient is too steep and pull too strong. Instead of giving all those scholarship higher a few top class researchers for UWI. I could go on but would be a book so will stop here.

      • Shaka Zulu
        July 1, 2016

        Hire

  6. %
    July 1, 2016

    Another major issue for Caricom should be GOOD GOVERNANCE..Member states should bring pressure to bear upon reckless,inept, lazy and incompetent leaders with dictatorial tendencies..Why should we have citizens in Dominicans for example begging for ELECTORAL REFORM for 16 years,and a rogue government is thwarting their attempts to obtain it?..Why should a rogue government emasculate its vital state institutions which protects its democracy?Why should a PM call on
    his supporters to provoke and harrass opposition membets?Caricom needs to clean its backyard first before meddling with matters external to them (in some respect).

  7. AAGabriel
    July 1, 2016

    Listen to that, Skerrit is concerned about the health of the region. What a joke, that nonsense comes out the mouth of the same PM who’s country boost the worst health care system in the region. Just as a reminder, Marigot hospital was closed for a long time, now it’s open again on a provisional and scaled down basis. PMH is open but in a laughable state. But… groundbreaking for the new PMH has taken place 3 or 4 times already according to the PM and the Minister of Health. So, no new hospital but instead a few holes where they broke the ground.

  8. Channel 1
    July 1, 2016

    Steeeeuuuuuuppppsssssssss.

    How much time again before SkerritExit y’all?

  9. Anonymous
    July 1, 2016

    It’s no wonder caricom can’t achieve anything worthwhile when the leadership is rotated every 6 months.

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