00:00When it comes to the membership of the Caribbean community CARICOM, the British overseas territories in the region are fully
00:08aware of their status.
00:10Unlike Monserrat, which is a founding member of CARICOM, the others are at varying stages of upgrading their status, with
00:18Bermuda being the most far advanced in the request for full membership.
00:23British Virgin Islands Premier Dr. Natalia Wheatley says he's hoping by the time the CARICOM leaders end their four-day
00:31summit on Friday, his country's application will be further advanced.
00:37Bermuda has put forward their application. The Virgin Islands, BVI, has also put forward our application.
00:47And of course, Turks, Caicos Islands will follow closely behind. And we are hopeful that we will become full members
00:58very soon.
00:59But there is a process that has to be undertaken. The process has begun.
01:05We've been having discussions with the General Legal Council, as well as the Assistant Secretary General, who's responsible for the
01:17community.
01:18And thus far, things have been going very well. I have to congratulate the Secretariat.
01:25They're responsive, they're engaged. And of course, we expect to see a good outcome very soon.
01:32Like Bermuda, Dr. Wheatley says, the BVI will, if given full membership, will not, however, allow for the free movement
01:41of CARICOM nationals within the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, the CSME.
01:48The people of the associate territories, the associate members of CARICOM must understand is that the situation is going to
01:59be different for those territories who are under, you know, different administering powers.
02:07In our case, the United Kingdom. So full membership for us will look different than it looks for independent sovereign
02:17country.
02:18And even the independent sovereign countries, all of them have not signed up to the Freedom of Movement.
02:24And Freedom of Movement would be one of the areas that we would not sign up to.
02:31But most of the other areas will be able to participate in fully.
02:35But because we are not an independent, sovereign country, Freedom of Movement, security, certain aspects of foreign policy are not
02:47within our gift to be able to make decisions on within the community.
02:51Wheatley said that the BVI is also seeking full membership within the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, the OECS.
03:01We don't anticipate having freedom of movement, and I don't think all the members of the OECS will have freedom
03:09of movement.
03:09I think the freedom of the movement is something that we have to look at carefully, because while we may
03:15favor it from an ideological standpoint,
03:17we have to ensure that some of the smaller countries and territories who persons may want to come to, to
03:26be able to work, are not overwhelmed, because we have finite and limited resources.
03:32Anguilla's Premier, Cora Richardson-Hodge, says the Associated States are also looking for more than just being observers at the
03:41CARICOM Summit.
03:42It is important that we all feel as part of one body.
03:47We are all members of CARICOM, and by virtue of our constitutional status being overseas territories, we are unable to
03:56participate to the full extent over the years.
03:59And so the various overseas territories, the Associated Member States, are looking to change that,
04:05and looking to increase and improve our level of collaboration, and our ability to work even closer with the other
04:13independent countries.
04:14And so I am satisfied. I think that a lot of work has gone into it.
04:18Some of the Associated Members have gone quite a distance in terms of obtaining legal advice, negotiating with the powers
04:27that be,
04:27to be able to ensure that they can achieve full member status.
04:33The Anguilla Premier is celebrating her first full year in office, having been sworn in on February 27th last year,
04:42and she says she fully supports the steps being taken, even as she, too, expressed reservations about the free movement
04:50aspect.
04:51We have not applied, and so at this point in time, I am not aware as to what the requirements
04:57are,
04:58what the steps are, what steps have been taken in order to be able to be a part of that
05:03aspect.
05:04But worst case scenario, I would imagine that there are some carve-outs, because ultimately,
05:09especially as it relates to overseas territories, if there is a limitation by the powers that be in terms of
05:18the free movement of people,
05:19I am sure that we can work through that process.
05:22So, for instance, persons, they may not be through the process of free movement, but it could be by way
05:27of work permits,
05:28and work permits are freely given in the Associated Member territories.
05:33And so there's always a way to work around whatever limitations there may be,
05:38and so I'm satisfied that we can overcome whatever issues there are.
05:42So, for the Associated States, they are hoping this week's CARICOM Summit held in St. Kitts and Nivis
05:50will hold hope for the full membership of CARICOM.
05:54Peter Richards reporting for CCN-TV6 from St. Kitts.
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