France Presents Documents Allowing For Martinique To Become Member Of OECS

CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Apr. 11, (CMC) – France has presented the instruments to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) allowing for its French Caribbean territory, Martinique, to become an Associate Member of the nine-member, sub-regional grouping.

Deputy Head of Mission from the French Embassy here, Philippe Seigneurin, in presenting the documents to OECS Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules, said “it is a great day for Martinique, for the French government and for me.”

OECS Director General Dr. Didacus Jules shows off the documents allowing Martinique to official join OECS. Photo credit: CMC.

Jules said he was pleased that Paris had signed the necessary documents, adding “we would like to express our deepest appreciation to the French Republic …for assiduously pushing this through the legislative processes required for its proclamation.

“We also would like to recognize the historical commitment of President of the Executive Council of the Territorial Authority, Alfred Marie Jeanne, who has consistently advocated the integration of Martinique into the family of the Caribbean,” Jules added.

The ceremony was attended by St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Ambassador to the OECS, Ellsworth John, who said Martinique’s contribution and participation is a very important milestone for the OECS.

“It shows an interest of other countries in being a part of our forward movement as an organisation. I am just happy that finally we could embrace Martinique as full Member of the OECS,” he added.

Martinique formally signed the documents to initiate membership of the OECS on February 4, 2015 .The signing ceremony was the highpoint of the 60th Meeting of the OECS leaders held for the first time in a French territory