During the opening day of the 49th meeting of CARICOM leaders, Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne expressed strong concerns regarding the perceived “benign neglect” of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) within the broader Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Browne’s remarks came as leaders discussed the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), a framework designed to facilitate the free movement of goods, labor, services, and skills across the region.

In recent weeks, similar sentiments have been echoed by St. Vincent and the Grenadines Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves and St. Lucia’s Opposition Leader Allen Chastanet, both of whom have highlighted the inequities faced by OECS nations in the CSME framework.

Addressing his colleagues, Gonsalves reiterated his disappointment in the ongoing disparities faced by OECS countries, despite their status as independent, sovereign members of CARICOM.

Prime Minister Browne supported Gonsalves’ assertions, stating that the OECS has not been treated fairly within the CARICOM framework. “We don’t want to be absolute losers in CARICOM,” he said, calling for the implementation of compensatory mechanisms to ensure that OECS countries reap the benefits of regional integration and the Revised Treaty.

Despite years of advocacy, Browne voiced frustration at the lack of attention given to these issues. “The time has come for this issue to be addressed seriously, rather than continually being overlooked,” he urged.

One of the key topics discussed was the failure to fully implement the Owen Arthur Study, which identified the uneven distribution of CSME benefits. Gonsalves pointed out that the current tariff structure disproportionately favors larger CARICOM nations, particularly Trinidad and Tobago, while OECS states remain heavily reliant on imports.

The two leaders also expressed concern over the failure of larger CARICOM states to fulfill their obligations to the CARICOM Development Fund (CDF), which aims to support less developed member states.

Browne backed Gonsalves’ call for a dedicated meeting between the OECS and Trinidad and Tobago to address the unresolved issues stemming from the collapse of CLICO and BAICO (British American Insurance Company) in 2009. This financial disaster had far-reaching effects on several OECS countries, leading to significant economic instability and ongoing legal disputes.

As discussions continue, the leaders of the OECS are keen to see tangible actions that foster equitable treatment within CARICOM.