ST. JOHN’S, Antigua & Barbuda – 18th June, 2014……..Secretary-General of the CARICOM Community Ambassador Irwin LaRocque flew into Antigua today for a brief meeting with Prime Minister the Honourable Gaston Browne. The Secretary-General was accompanied by Mr. Neville Bissember of the CARICOM Secretariat.

Secretary-General LaRocque congratulated the Prime Minister on his resounding electoral victory and pledged to work closely with him during Mr. Browne’s term in office, and especially during his term as chairman of CARICOM.

The Secretary-General explained that he normally would brief Prime Ministers who had just assumed office; and that in the particular case of Prime Minister Browne, he would be assuming regional responsibilities rather quickly.

Prime Minister Browne reiterated his deep commitment to CARICOM and to regional integration, and he undertook to give his term as chairman of CARICOM his best efforts.

Secretary-General LaRocque briefed PM Browne on the upcoming CARICOM Summit of Heads of Government to be held in Antigua during 1 – 4 July. Under the CARICOM rotation system, PM Browne will also assume the chairmanship of CARICOM with effect from 1st July. The CARICOM chairmanship has a six-month term.

The Secretary-General and the Prime Minister also engaged on wider CARICOM issues, and issues which were among the top priorities for CARICOM at this time, including the regional economy and the reparations question.

Mr. LaRocque is planning to return to Antigua well in advance of the CARICOM Summit and to hold further meetings with PM Browne and other senior Government officials. It is also expected that a team from the CARICOM Secretariat will be on the ground in Antigua early next week to coordinate Summit preparation activities with the national authorities.