The Caricom Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana.
MARTINIQUE has taken a serious step towards becoming a member of the Caribbean Group (Caricom) as an affiliate member, signing an accession settlement through the forty eighth Common Assembly of the Convention of Heads of Authorities of Caricom, in Barbados. The settlement was signed by Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, chair of Caricom, and Serge Letchimy, president of the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique (CTM).
The French territory’s accession stays topic to last ratification by the French Nationwide Meeting, which should approve the Protocol on Privileges and Immunities earlier than membership may be formalised.
“It is a historic second for Martinique and for Caricom,” Letchimy mentioned through the signing ceremony. “We look ahead to strengthening our ties with our Caribbean neighbours.”
Martinique’s inclusion in Caricom is predicted to boost regional cooperation in financial improvement, well being care, schooling, transport, and catastrophe threat administration. As a part of the European Union, Martinique additionally provides a novel alternative to bridge Caribbean nations with European markets.
Martinique first utilized for Caricom membership greater than a decade in the past. Its accession builds on earlier steps towards regional integration, together with affiliate member standing with organisations such because the United Nations Financial Fee for Latin America and the Caribbean (2012), the Affiliation of Caribbean States (2014), and Group of Jap Caribbean States (2015).
Caricom Secretary Common Dr Carla Barnett welcomed Martinique’s transfer, highlighting its potential to foster financial diversification and cultural change throughout the area. “Martinique’s membership will strengthen our collective potential to deal with shared challenges,” she mentioned.
Martinique’s accession to Caricom is poised to yield quite a few advantages for the area. The transfer is predicted to unlock new alternatives for commerce between the Caribbean and European markets, fostering financial progress and cooperation. Moreover, Martinique’s entry into Caricom will strengthen collaboration in key areas reminiscent of schooling, safety, and disaster administration, in the end enhancing regional resilience. The accession may even facilitate skilled and tutorial exchanges amongst regional stakeholders, selling data sharing and cultural understanding. Moreover, Martinique’s membership will deepen tourism and cultural ties amongst Caricom member states, enriching the area’s cultural heritage.
Caricom presently includes 15 member states and 6 affiliate members, representing roughly 18 million individuals throughout the Caribbean. Identified for its variety in language and tradition, Caricom seeks to advertise financial integration and sustainable improvement amongst its members.
For Martinique, this accession reaffirms its dedication to deepening its Caribbean identification whereas fostering innovation and regional partnerships.
