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Grenada Parliament Clears Way for Signing of OECS Treaty
http://www.caribbeanpressreleases.com/articles/7036/1/Grenada-Parliament-Clears-Way-for-Signing-of-OECS-Treaty/Page1.html
S Coward

 
By S Coward
Published on 13-Jun-10
 
St. George’s, Grenada, June 13, 2010 – Both branches of parliament have given unanimous approval to Grenada’s decision to join an expanded union of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
St. George’s, Grenada, June 10, 2010 – Both branches of parliament have given unanimous approval to Grenada’s decision to join an expanded union of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

The OECS Economic Union Treaty, which is expected to be signed and ratified by June 18, promises “joint actions’’ and “joint policies’’ by member-countries in areas such as the judiciary and the administration of justice; external relations including overseas representation; international trade agreements; international marketing of goods and services; education including tertiary education; telecommunications; intellectual property rights; external transportation and communications; and public administration and management.

OECS official say the treaty, which establishes the sub-regional grouping as a “single financial and economic space,’’ can transform the economies of the countries if the “bold and innovative steps which are implied by the consummation of an economic union of Member States of the OECS are taken with a sense of urgency.’’

Grenada and other OECS members already cooperate in several areas including the common use of the Eastern Caribbean currency, joint regulation of banking and securities, and joint procurement of medicine.

Parliamentary approval on a motion approving the signing of the OECS Economic Union Treaty was received at a sitting of the House of Representatives on Tuesday and of the Senate on Wednesday.

Opposition members, while expressing some reservations of the treaty, joined the government side in supporting the treaty and the deepening of the OECS integration process.

Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas, who moved the motion in the Lower House of Parliament, noted that government had started a public education exercise on the treaty and committed himself to continuing with it.

“This is not a new issue. The regional integration movement is a very old issue and the consultation continues,’’ Prime Minister Thomas said. “We have to continue educating and informing the Grenadian population as to the importance of regional unity. We circulated over 8,000 copies of the treaty in a local newspaper. There were some meetings with the media and we’re going to go to different communities.’’

The Prime is confident that all OECS countries, including Grenada, will benefit from the strengthening of regional integration.

“There are more positives there for all of us,’’ he said, “once we live up to what is expected of us, to try to cooperate, to harmonise our agriculture, and in joint overseas representation. Right now the trend is to establish joint missions to cut back on cost. If we have one, you know how much money would be remaining in the region.’’