NASSAU, Bahamas – The Bahamas signed an agreement establishing the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), a central organisation through which members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) can access funds in the aftermath of hurricanes and other disasters.

This was disclosed by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Brent Symonette, who represented Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Hubert Ingraham at the 29th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the CARICOM held July 1-4 in Antigua.

The meeting also marked the 35^th Anniversary of CARICOM. Heads of Government attended a ceremony at Dickenson Bay, site of the signing in 1965 of the Caribbean Free Trade Association (CARIFTA) Treaty; forerunner to CARICOM.

Other agreements discussed at the CARICOM level, but not signed by The Bahamas are:

“There was some difficulty as to the Maritime and Airspace Agreement and the Caribbean Arrest Warrant, which is being reviewed by Cabinet. We are going over some questions raised by other Caribbean countries and we hope to be in a position to sign those shortly,” Mr. Symonette said.

The CARICOM Arrest Warrant seeks the “speedy arrest and transfer” of suspects within the region for various criminal offences. It is similar to the extradition agreement between The Bahamas and the United States.

“The Caribbean is trying to get closer so that we can deal with criminals and crime that happens throughout the Caribbean,” Mr Symonette said.

The CASSOS is to succeed the Regional Aviation Safety Oversight System (RASOS) with expanded functions. It formalises arrangements for coordinating in a cost effective manner the sharing of the limited technical aviation expertise of the region; the harmonisation of training, licensing, certification and inspection procedures; and providing technical support to the participating State.

This would enable States to achieve and maintain full compliance with international safety and security standards in keeping with their obligations as Contracting States to the Convention on International Civil Aviation (Chicago Convention, 1994).

Regarding safety, Mr. Symonette said Heads approved the implementation of the CARICOM Travel Card, a mechanism to facilitate hassle-free travel within the region for nationals and legal residents of CARICOM without compromising the security of the Community.

Heads spent an entire day on tourism, discussing ways to enhance regional tourism in the context of current international trends.

In this vein, Heads agreed on a strategy of a regional marketing campaign, including the adoption of a Caribbean regional brand and the creation of a marketing fund of an estimated $60 million.

Regarding the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), Heads agreed that there should be a review of the implementation of the free movement of skilled nationals, with a view to determining its reaffirmation or modification.

Heads also reviewed the process towards signing the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union.

The proposed July 23 signing date was postponed to the end of August.