Agreements signed at CARICOM meeting in Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti — A number of agreements were signed on behalf of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) member countries during the 29th inter-sessional meeting of CARICOM heads of government in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Tuesday.
St Vincent and the Grenadines signed on to the new CARICOM multilateral air services agreement (MASA), expands the scope for airlines owned by CARICOM nationals to provide air services throughout the Community. It allows for no restriction on routes, capacity or traffic rights and should facilitate increased intra-regional travel and provide more cargo options for exporters and importers with resulting cost savings.
This should provide a major boost to the regional transportation sector which is a critical aspect of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
Montserrat’s minister of education, health and youth, Delmaude Ryan, who is heading the island’s delegation to the heads of government meeting in Haiti, signed two agreements during the second day of the meeting.
Montserrat signed on to the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Accreditation Authority for Education in Medicine and other Health Professions, and the Agreement establishing the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREE).
Barbados Prime Minister Freundel Stuart signed the CARICOM arrest warrant treaty and the revised agreement establishing the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).
The CARICOM arrest warrant treaty, already signed by some other CARICOM member countries, simplifies the procedure of returning fugitives to the country where charges have been laid. The revised agreement establishing the CXC seeks to update the CXC’s legal structure in light of subsequent organisational practices, recent market developments and current needs, with particular emphasis on accommodating requests from additional territories and institutions to join or otherwise participate in the CXC.
Photo: St Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves signs Multilateral Air Services Agreement