Bermuda Begins Process To Become Full Member Of CARICOM

• Bermuda has begun the process of joining the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Premier David Burt obtained the go-ahead from the United Kingdom Under Secretary of State for the Americas and Caribbean, David Rutley, during a trip to London last week for the Joint Ministerial Council, according to Deputy Premier Walter Roban.
• Roban stated that Rutley expressed support for Bermuda making an application and encouraged Bermuda “to start the process and make an offer, to which we will respond,” He stated that Britain would be consulted at every stage prior to Bermuda’s application being filed.
• “We are now researching and exploring everything that is required to submit a complete application. Official discussions have begun with the United Kingdom to determine whether an entrustment is required or whether an amendment to the existing entrustment is sufficient,” Roban said.
• In response to “the elephant in the room,” immigration and the free movement of CARICOM nationals, Roban stated that full membership will not necessitate Bermuda opening its doors to let visitors from member countries come and go as they like, and given Bermuda’s modest size, he believes the Protocol on the Free Movement of Persons would not be accepted as a condition of membership.
• “At the moment, the CARICOM members who have opted out of free labour movement are Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Haiti, and Montserrat.” These countries have not signed or approved the Protocol on Free Movement of Persons, one of nine protocols that revise the Treaty of Chaguaramas to establish the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME),” he stated.
• Bermuda is already benefiting from its status as an associate member through organisations such as the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and CARIFTA. However, “Being a full member of Caricom will allow Bermuda to have a voice and vote on matters of policy addressed by Caricom that impact the whole region, particularly the issue around correspondent banking and de-risking,” he said.

(Source: St Vincent Times)