CARICOM Heads with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair View photo »

Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda the Hon. Baldwin Spencer has expressed satisfaction with the meeting held between CARICOM leaders and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair this week.

Prime Minister Spencer who is now in Malta for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting said that some of the issues affecting CARICOM countries including crime and security, debt cancellation and assistance in transiting from traditional trade preferential economies to economies competing in an open market were discussed in detail.

PM Spencer said that leaders stressed the importance of crime and security and praised the UK for its role in assisting the region particularly OECS countries through the Regional Security System mechanism. "This mechanism has worked and we recognize the role played by the UK which has been supportive as it relates to training and the coast guard. We however believe that the UK should go beyond that and assist us in providing funding for the programme," PM Spencer stated.

"We would very much appreciate if the UK can provide financial support for the RSS Air Wing Division which has served the region well in drug interdictions and seizures and disaster relief. The acquisition of equipment and training in the form of developing middle management personnel in police forces are urgent needs," he added.

Prime Minister Spencer also outlined that the leaders spoke on the issue of debt of small countries. "As far as CARICOM member states are concerned, although we are among the most indebted countries in the world, because of our middle income status, we are not given the benefit of debt cancellation under the regime known as the Heavily Indebted Poorest Countries (HIPC) Trust Fund," he outlined.

"We fully appreciate and laud the efforts of the UK and G8 countries in supporting Africa in respect of debt cancellation and believe that a similar arrangement should be put in place for CARICOM. The record show that we rank among the most indebted countries in the world," PM Spencer said.

During the discussions with Prime Minister Tony Blair, the heads also addressed the UK assisting CARICOM with the establishment of the Development Fund and Agency which will form part of the establishment of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy.

"CARICOM countries are in transition from trade preferential countries to one relying on services which require a number of mechanisms be put in place to make the transition an easy one. We must ensure that we are able to survive in an open market," PM Spencer concluded.