(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, His Excellency Edwin Carrington, has extended congratulations to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, on the occasion of the country’s 30th Anniversary of Independence, 27 October 2009.

The country gained independence in 1979. It joined the Community on 1 May, 1974.

Secretary-General Carrington, in his congratulatory note to Dr. the Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, pointed to this year’s celebration as an opportunity for “introspection,” for citizens to engage in “meaningful dialogue” on the future constitution of the CARICOM Member State.

The text of the Message is as follows:

On behalf of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), I extend warmest congratulations to you and the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines on the occasion of the celebration of your country’s 30th Anniversary of Independence on 27 October 2009.

It is noteworthy that this milestone in the history of the country is accompanied by an effort at introspection. This year’s celebration “Vincy Homecoming 2009” will therefore offer the opportunity for Vincentians living at home and abroad to engage in meaningful dialogue on the future constitution of St Vincent and the Grenadines, a process which will no doubt be avidly followed not only in St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Eastern Caribbean, but throughout the CARICOM Region.

I join with the Governments and people of the Caribbean Community in extending best wishes for the continued well-being of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and look forward to their actively participating in and benefitting from the activities of the Community as we work together to deepen the process of regional integration.