CARICOM Heads of Government have resolved to remove impediments to free movement across the region by March next year, according to CARICOM Chairman, Roosevelt Skerrit. He acknowledged that the decision cannot be implemented immediately as modalities in the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas will have to be dealt with by a legal team.
“We have taken a decision to have the free movement of all categories of people to live and work…We believe that this is a fundamental part of the integration architecture and at 50 (years), we could not leave Trinidad and Tobago and not speak about the core of the integration movement and that is people’s ability to move freely within the Caribbean Community,” Skerrit said as he noted that this was the highlight of their three-day long meeting in Trinidad and Tobago.
Speaking at the closing press conference for the 45th CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting yesterday, the Dominican Prime Minister explained that this decision will allow people to access primary and equal health care and educational opportunities. The lifting of restrictions on free travel will also pave the way for better security and hassle-free travel.