Dominican Republic bids again to join Caricom

(Trinidad Express) President of the Dominican Republic Danilo Medina has appealed to regional leaders to allow his country to join Caricom.

According to a release from the Office of the Prime Minister, Medina addressed 15 Caricom leaders, including Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, during a retreat at Petrotrin Staff Club, Pointe-a-Pierre, yesterday.

Medina said that since 1989, the Dominican Republic has been trying to gain membership status in Caricom.

The release stated that Medina indicated he wants to be part of the political, economic and social integration within the Caribbean region.

“We have come with open arms, promising to work hard to make the region a better place,” Medina said.

The Dominican Republic’s president added that 40 years ago, four visionary leaders from Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados, Jamaica, and Guyana signed the Treaty of Chaguaramas to establish Caricom.

“They built the foundation on sound principle which has allowed 15 full members and five associate members. We must have the political will and, therefore, we have decided to have open-arm dialogue to gain entry to Caricom,’ he said.

The release stated that Medina said the Dominican Republic was interested in air transport and Caribbean Airlines.

He said further that his country needed to invest in Caricom and his visit to Trinidad and Tobago has brought his country closer to the dream.