Dominican Republic could soon join Caricom
Santo Domingo.– Caricom heads are to once again consider an application from the Dominican Republic for membership in the 15-member grouping when they meet in July of this year.
The issue, which was one of the major items up for mention at the 12th Meeting of Caricom’s Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR), has been referred to a technical team for further consideration.
According to Jamaica’s Foreign Affairs Minister Dr. Kenneth Baugh, there are a lot of issues to be addressed in the context of this relationship with the Dominican Republic, but the general spirit is yes. “It is one of welcoming the Dominican Republic,” he said.
“That relationship takes several forms,” he explained. “There is a Free Trade arrangement already in place and, secondly, Dominican Republic is part of CARIFORUM –which is Caricom plus the Dominican Republic– and we have signed an Economic Partnership Agreement with Europe and that has certain implications with the Dominican Republic in terms of trading relationship,” he added.