Economic Affairs Council formed by the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States

The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) has announced the establishment of an Economic Affairs Council which is a principal organ of the sub-region’s economic union.

One of the principal aims of the council is to assist in ensuring that the sub-region benefits from the economic union through rights such as the free movement of persons, goods and services.

The economic affairs council will be responsible for supervising the application of the Economic Union Protocol and keeping its operation under review. It will act in an advisory capacity on a number of issues including member state action with regard to promoting attainment of the objectives of the OECS economic union, and facilitating the establishment of closer links with other countries and with international organizations.

According to The Revised Treaty of Basseterre which allowed for the economic union, the powers of implementation of the union “shall be vested in the council, acting on the direction of the regional authority, and that the council may, subject to this direction, delegate to the OECS Commission such powers as it thinks fit.

The economic affairs council will comprise ministers of government who are selected by the head of government of each OECS member state.

The Organization of Eastern Caribbean States groups the island-nations of Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Kitts & Nevis, Montserrat, Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands. -(CMC)