Lead Editor-Politics
St Lucia Prime Minister and Caricom chairman Philip J. Pierre has updated Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar on efforts to seek an advisory opinion from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) over the appointment of Caricom Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett.
The issue was among matters discussed when Pierre met with Persad-Bissessar here in Trinidad and Tobago yesterday evening, for talks aimed at strengthening regional cooperation.
According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, Pierre, in his capacity as Caricom chairman, briefed Persad-Bissessar “on the matter of seeking an advisory opinion from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) with respect to the appointment of the Caricom Secretary General.”
The issue surrounding the appointment of Barnett has been the subject of regional discussion following concerns over the process surrounding the reappointment.
The T&T Government has previously indicated that an advisory opinion from the CCJ would provide legal clarity on the matter.
Apart from the CCJ issue, Persad-Bissessar and Pierre discussed several areas of mutual interest between T&T and St Lucia, with particular attention placed on health and crime-fighting initiatives. The talks focused on ways both countries could work together to improve the safety, security and well-being of their citizens while advancing broader regional priorities.
“Prime Minister Persad-Bissessar remains committed to working closely with our regional partners to deepen Caribbean cooperation and pursue initiatives that deliver meaningful benefits for all the people of the region,” the statement said.
Pierre was accompanied by St Lucia Attorney General Leslie Mondesir.
Persad-Bissessar was joined by Attorney General John Jeremie, Foreign and Caricom Affairs Minister Sean Sobers and officials from the Ministry of Foreign and Caricom Affairs.
The meeting comes as regional leaders continue discussions on strengthening cooperation among Caricom member states in areas ranging from security and health to governance and institutional matters.
The OPM described the talks as an opportunity to deepen relations between T&T and St Lucia, while finding ways to advance shared regional priorities. The Government said the engagement formed part of efforts towards “a stronger and more united Caribbean.”
