Latest update April 6th, 2025 12:03 AM
Latest News
- Exxon admits to operating above production rates in EIAs
- Oil sinks to pandemic lows; metals, soybeans slump as China retaliates against U.S. Tariffs
- Israel has turned two-thirds of Gaza into no-go zones, UN says
- ‘If the President’s award means anything, he would terminate Ramson’- Protestors
- Power China, Kalpataru sign US$422M contracts for extension of transmission lines for GPL
Haiti wants an end to visa restrictions
Michel Martelly (second from left) watches a performance at the opening
Haiti’s Prime Minister Michel Martelly on Friday participated in his first Caricom meeting with his fellow Caricom heads of Government and later noted that it was indeed an honour for him.
But despite this being his first Caricom conference, he is definitely not out of touch with how Caricom works—lengthy talking and less action.
The first day of the meeting saw the heads going off on a retreat. However, Martelly was the first to exit the summit and to return to what he says is urgent business at home in Haiti, that is securing the ratification of his next nominee for Prime Minister.
But before leaving we spoke with the Prime Minister who shared the view that Caricom needs to “unite around one project and make it a success”. He believes that by doing so, Caricom would set the tone for successes, as the success of one project, despite how small, would lead to the success of another and then another.
Martelly went further to suggest that the project could be in any sector, be it foreign politics or agriculture, although he did suggest that the former might be a bit tougher for sovereign states.
Martelly explained that the success of at least one project would reinforce and solidify the partnership being pursued in this integration effort.
And speaking about integration, the Haitian Prime Minister called on his Caricom counterparts to remove the visa restriction against Haitians.
This, he says, is a major issue for his country. He reminded that in a single regional space everyone should enjoy the right to move freely, and Haitians must not be excluded.
The problem with free movement for Haitians is that many Caricom countries are fearful that Haitians will migrate in huge numbers and into their territories.
Martelly however noted that the problem in Haiti is not one with free movement, but an economic one. He is therefore proposing a solution in the form of agriculture.
He believes that Caricom should help Haitians to get back to cultivating their lands thus empowering them economically.
This, he says, will help all involved, as it would solve Haiti and Haitians’ economic problems while providing Caricom with food security.
In this regard, he stressed the importance for Caricom member-countries to purchase as a matter of priority that which is produced within the region.
This song being sung by Martelly however replicates what Guyana has been calling for, for several years, that is, for Caricom to support food production within the region.
The Haitian head was also engaged in several other meetings on the side, including one with Caricom’s special representative to Haiti and former Jamaican Prime Minister, P.J. Patterson, to discuss Haiti’s reconstruction efforts.
Martelly says that while he is satisfied with his one-day participation in the Caricom summit, he regrets not being there to initiate the discussion on Haiti which is on the heads agenda for today, the second day of the conference.
Nevertheless, he is satisfied with some of the discussions he has had on day one, and indicated that they have come up with some great ideas and solutions to some of Haiti’s problems.
Similar Articles
THE BLUNT OF THE DAY
Sports
Features/Columnists
The One-Man Republic
Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- There exists, tucked away on the margin of maps and minds, a country that has perfected... more
The U.S. “Joining” the Commonwealth: an unreasonable expectation
By Sir Ronald Sanders Kaieteur News- Recent media stories have suggested that King Charles III could “invite” the United... more
Weekend Cartoon
