Brexit lessons for region

IN the face of Brexit, the region’s focus must be on strengthening and making Caricom more economically competitive.

So says Chairman of Caricom and Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, as he addressed the 37th Heads of Government meeting in Guyana earlier this week.

Pointing out that Britain “has chosen to retreat to insular nationalism” at a time when the rest of the world was moving towards regional integration, he insisted that the meeting be used to consider the effect the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU) would have Caricom.

He knocked predictions of any move by members to exit  Caricom, insisting that  Britain’s circumstances were different, due to its citizens’ historical fear of losing their sovereignty, while “Caricom is the fulfilment of a long-standing aspiration of our peoples”.

“Colleague, Heads of Government, Ladies and Gentlemen, some of us may be ambivalent and hesitant about a closer relationship with Caricom, but let us not resolve to blindly imitate what happened in Britain a few days ago. Let us instead work together to strengthen our co-operation and collaboration to create a stronger, more vibrant community.

“Let us properly analyse and position ourselves to take advantage of the opportunities that will arise from this,” he stated.

Skerrit added, “It may be that Britain’s exit from the EU will lead to renewed co-operation on better terms with the Commonwealth, and bring greater benefits to all, as we seek a safe and viable space in the global marketplace.

“Let us, therefore, focus more closely on what needs to be done to strengthen Caricom, to make it more economically competitive, and to generate the resources to sustain our togetherness.”

He also warned that other shocks may be along the path, as “presidential elections in the United States of America in November may bring forth certain unanticipated challenges, including American insular nationalism.”

“What we therefore need to do in the Caribbean is to take action to strengthen our solidarity to deal with any eventuality in our own front yard,” Skerrit argued. (JMB)

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