CASTRIES, St. Lucia – The leaders of Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica Tuesday welcomed the decision by Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders to seek an advisory opinion from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) regarding the controversial reappointment of the CARICOM Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett.
Prime Minister Andrew HolnessSt. Lucia’s Prime Minister Phillip J Pierre, who is also the CARICOM chairman, in a prepared statement to reporters said the regional leaders had discussed the issue after Trinidad and Tobago had “maintained its objection to the process used in the reappointment of the Secretary General.
He said CARICOM acknowledged that Port of Spain desired to have the issue of the reappointment referred to the Trinidad-based CCJ to render an advisory opinion”.
He said to facilitate this request, CARICOM leaders have agreed “to commence proceedings to secure such advisory opinion in accordance with Article 212 of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.
“The Community acknowledged that this is the very purpose for which the CCJ was created, to be a treaty interpretation body,” Pierre said.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar, who had written a 22-page letter outlining her position on the reappointment later told reporters “ I welcome the decision of the CARICOM.
“I think this is the best way going forward to resolve issues we may have,” she said, adding “ I wish to thank my fellow colleague heads for supporting Trinidad and Tobago’s proposals which were viewed as consistent with CARICOM’s commitment to the highest standards of good governance and institutional improvement; principles which I have always championed as necessary for the future of CARICOM.”
She said that the outcome is a testament to the chairmanship of Prime Minister Pierre “who facilitated consensus and the opportunity for the region to move forward in unity, to advance the well-being of all the people of CARICOM”.
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness said Kingston is “very pleased that the heads could have come together and crafted a solution which I believe would be for everyone’s satisfaction.
Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar
“It’s important that these procedural matters not only be settled by mutual acclamation, but also established in a declaration of a court, which then enshrines that in process going forward,” Holness told reporters.
In his statement Prime Minister Pierre said that CARICOM ”further agreed that the status quo with respect to the reappointment of the Secretary General shall remain unless and until the Community considers the said advisory opinion from the CCJ.
“The Community agreed that this way forward allows for this matter to be resolved in an amicable manner without prejudice to the ability of the community to conduct its affairs. In this context, the Community reaffirmed that the ongoing review of the governance architecture is part of the broader mandate agreed at the previous conference in St. Kitts and Nevis to strengthen the governance of the Community and enhance its effectiveness.”
Pierre said that the leaders “further underscored that this process does not impugn the integrity of any member, state, or individual, but rather it reflects the community’s collective commitment to continuous institutional improvement with the highest standards of good governance.
“The heads have reaffirmed their commitment to the ideals and objectives of the community and will continue to move forward in unity to advance the interests of the region during these difficult times, recognising the myriad of challenges the community faces currently,” Pierre added.
