00:00Day 3 of the 51st meeting of the Caribbean Community CARICOM grouping will be remembered for the decision taken by
00:08the regional leaders to send the issues surrounding the reappointment of their Secretary General to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court
00:16of Justice.
00:17Their position was outlined by the St. Lucia Prime Minister and CARICOM Chairman, Philip J. Pierre.
00:23The Republic of Trinidad-Tobago maintained its objection to the process used in the reappointment of the Secretary General of
00:32the Caribbean Community, CARICOM.
00:35CARICOM acknowledged that the Republic of Trinidad-Tobago desires to have the issue of the reappointment of the Secretary General
00:44referred to the Caribbean Court of Justice, CCJ, to render an advisory opinion thereon.
00:51To facilitate this request, the community agrees to commence proceedings to secure such advisory opinion in accordance with Article 2
01:03.1.2 of the revised Treaty of Chagaramus.
01:07The community acknowledged that this is the very purpose for which the CCJ was created, to be a treaty interpretation
01:16body.
01:16The community further agreed that the status quo with respect to the reappointment of the Secretary General shall remain unless
01:26and until the community considers the said advisory opinion from the CCJ.
01:32The community agreed that this way forward allows for this matter to be resolved in an amicable manner without prejudice
01:41to the ability of the community to conduct its affairs.
01:45In this context, the community reaffirms that the ongoing review of the governance architecture is part of the broader mandate
01:54agreed at the previous conference in St. Kitts and Nevis to strengthen the governance of the community and enhance its
02:02effectiveness.
02:03The heads further underscored that this process does not influence the integrity of any member, state or individual, but rather
02:13it reflects the community's collective commitment to continuous institutional improvement with the highest standards of good governance.
02:21The heads have reaffirms that the heads have reaffirmed their commitment to the ideas and objectives of the community and
02:27will continue to move forward in unity to advance the interests of the region during these difficult times, recognizing the
02:37merit of challenges the community faces currently.
02:42Trinidad and Tobago's Prime Minister, who has led the objection to Barnett's reappointment, welcomed the CARICOM's position.
02:51I welcome the decision of the CARICOM. I think this is the best way going forward to resolve the issues
02:58we may have had.
02:59Jamaica's Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who had also written to his colleagues on the issue, said it was an important
03:06decision taken by the regional leaders.
03:08Well, we are very pleased that the heads could have come together and crafted a solution, which I believe would
03:17be for everyone's satisfaction.
03:20It's important that these procedural matters not only be settled by mutual acclamation, but also established in a declaration of
03:32a court, which then enshrines that in process going forward.
03:37On Tuesday, CARICOM officially welcomed French Guiana as a CARICOM associate member state.
03:44Peter Richards reporting for CCN TV6 News from St. Lucia.
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