Premier David Burt Monday said that there were “broad benefits” to gain from Bermuda seeking full membership of the regional integration grouping, CARICOM, even as he acknowledged it “is not something that has been on the front burner”.
Bermuda became a CARICOM associate member on July 3, 2003 and Burt, speaking at a news conference here, said public consultations will be held before any decision is taken to seek full membership of CARICOM that this year celebrates its 50th anniversary.
He said at the last CARICOM summit that was held in Trinidad and Tobago, which he attended “there were a number of other Caribbean Overseas Territories…who had expressed their desire to go ahead and to advance for full membership.
“We think there are social benefits that could come from that full membership of CARICOM…and so that is something we will undertake in that consultative process as other Caribbean Overseas Territories are looking to advance from Associate members to full members along with Montserrat.
“This is something the government will consider. I can’t say that this is something that was particularly on the front burner but I can that it is something that was discussed at the recent CARICOM heads of government conference. It is something that the government should consider, look to a view to see whether or not it makes sense.
“I think there are broad benefits to being a full member of CARICOM. I think it is a signal of our deeper integration into the region,” Burt told reporters, adding “I think it could be helpful for us as we continue to advance and develop our institutions”.
Governor Rena Lalgie, who last weekend delivered the traditional Throne Speech, told legislators that full membership in CARICOM was a vision of former Premier Dame Jennifer Smith who desired the island nation to “strengthen the historic, familial and cultural ties to the Caribbean.”
She said that beginning discussion now, on the process of gaining full membership in CARICOM is right, as the country is marking 20 years as an associate member.
“In this anniversary year, the Government will renew the vision of Dame Jennifer, initiating a consultation process leading to full membership in CARICOM,” Lalgie said.
Montserrat is the only British Overseas Territory that has full membership of CARICOM, having been among the founding member countries of the regional integration grouping.
Premier Burt told reiterated that it was important for Bermuda to seek full membership of CARICOM, reminding reporters that “other jurisdictions are examining their relationship with CARICOM.
“I think it is perfectly good for Bermuda to go ahead and do the same. And so from that aspect, there are a number of institutions that we can participate in as an Associate Member. But there are also other institutions and discussions that we aren’t able to participate in.
“There are certainly more benefits to being a full member than an Associate member and those are all things we will discuss and explore during the consultative process,” he said, adding “what I am not trying to do is to get into …is to start to prejudge the thing.
“We will engage in broad consultative processes that is what we will do and I am certain there will be plenty of opportunities to offer those questions you are asking,” he told reporters.
Asked what he believes would be the benefits for Bermuda in gaining full membership, Premier Burt responded by saying “as Associate members of CARICOM though we get to attend meetings we do not participate in any decision making process which may be a part of those things and that is what full membership entails…but those are matters to be spelt out during the consultation”.
He reminded reporters that there are various treaties that members “may sign up to and may not sign up to as well and those are all things that would have to be discussed with the UK government and our CARICOM partners.”
Burt said that Government House, the official residence of the British Governor had an “advance sight of the Throne” speech where the matter was raised “but these are things that have been discussed with other overseas territories, with the UK government regarding a path forward.
“We will conduct our consultative process first to find out whether or not this is the direction we wish to ultimately take,” he added. (Loop News)
