By: Staff Writer
February 25, 2025
Prime Minister of Barbados and incoming chair of CARICOM, Mia Mottley, said at the closing press conference for the CARICOM 48th Heads of Government Meeting that Martinique has signed up to become the newest associate member of the union.
Mottley also said that while Martinique had agreed, it is still subject to France’s parliament to approve but she insists that they are strongly engaged with Martinique and the French government on the former joining up with CARICOM.
Martinique is an overseas French territory, but had undergone massive riots in 2024 as a result of their protest against the elevated cost of living brought about by the post-COVID-19 global economic rise in prices worldwide.
Mottley also noted that CARICOM is undaunted, by the massive task at hand for the regional leaders as it relates the changing global economic environment, coupled with climate change issues and further international migration pressure being brought about by the Donald Trump administration.
Mottley said: “We are not in any way daunted by the challenges, but we are approaching them with a calm confidence and a recognition that unity more than ever will be required from us to meet the common challenges that the world has presented, from the change in geopolitical environment to the climate crisis to the international economic shocks that are potentially still there, to the consequences of the climate crisis with respect to the production of food, or the consequences of diseases such as bird flu, that can lead to an unfortunate increase in the cost of food.”
Through the 48th HOG meeting, the CARICOM leaders focused on a wide range of issues, Mottley said they focused on external trade and also the free movement of people throughout the region.
With regard to the free movement of people she said: “One of the major decisions of the conference is that we will settle the arrangements that will allow smaller numbers of members of the community to act if they so desire, rather than requiring unanimity for action.”
Mottley added: “Why is this important? Because if that protocol for enhanced cooperation is completely ratified by the end of March, it opens its way for a number of countries to be able to admit the possibility of freedom of movement for CARICOM nationals from the first of June, with the according rights of primary and secondary education, emergency health care and access also to primary health care, recognizing that families will Move and that this will be the suite of rights that will be available to those countries that would want to participate in the freedom of movement.”