Dominican Republic increasing participation in CARICOM

Dominicantoday.com , Santo Domingo, October 5 th 2007

Efforts by the European Union to increase the Dominican Republic's level of involvement in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have led to the appointment of two Dominican officials to posts in CARICOM's secretariat, the newspaper Diario Libre said.

Caricom general undersecretary Lolita Applewhaite said the integration of CARICOM and CARIFORUM – an organization of Caribbean states who are signatories to joint conventions by the African Caribbean Pacific (APC) countries and the European Commission (EC) – made it necessary to include a Dominican voice in the secretariat. “We have to include them since the Dominican Republic is the only country outside CARICOM that belongs to the CARIFORUM, and we've guaranteed them two positions.”

Willys Ramirez, who was the Dominican Director of Regional Cooperation, will serve as undersecretary of CARICOM, while Amanda Adames Marmolejos will take up the position of assistant program director.

Javin Singh, a spokesperson for the EC based in Guyana, said Dominican Republic's increased participation in CARICOM is important, as it will help the EC achieve its objectives for the economic development of the Caribbean.

Currently, Dominican Republic is one of seven observer states that have yet to obtain full membership in Caricom. Haiti had its status as a full member reinstated last year.