At a caucus during their summit in St Lucia this week, the Conference of CARICOM Heads discussed MOUs on transit arrangements of Third Country Nationals (TCNs) proposed to individual Member States by the US government.
According to a release on Thursday from CARICOM, Heads of Government considered common concerns across the region regarding the capacity of small countries to manage the transit of TCNs. The regional leaders stressed that every effort would be made to ensure that TCN arrangements do not disrupt the security of countries in the Region or divert resources and services from the citizens of the respective countries.
“Heads of Government highlighted the fact that the proposed MOUs were intended to provide for the transit of individuals without criminal antecedents to their home countries rather than settlement in Member States and emphasized the need for citizens of the region to understand the distinction. They further agreed that every effort should be made to engage CARICOM citizens on these issues”, the release said. They also affirmed their commitment to safe, orderly and regular migration and to the dignity of migrants.
Heads of Government noted the longstanding cooperation and close partnership with the United States and “acknowledged the importance attached to the proposed MOUs”.
They noted that some CARICOM countries had already signed, while others were in discussions with the government of the United States. It was not stated which countries had already signed. The release pointed out that 30 countries around the world had already signed TCN MOUs.
It is unclear if Guyana and the US have concluded talks on this matter.
On January 7th this year, Stabroek News reported that the governments of Guyana and the United States were nearing an agreement for this country to receive third country nationals who are either refugees or non-felons, with Georgetown having the right to refuse any of those proposed.
“We have been in productive discussions on a framework of understanding which is consistent with our national priorities and needs and supportive of the USA objectives… these discussions are ongoing,” Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud had told Stabroek News when contacted on January 6th this year.
Under the planned agreement, the United States will stand the costs of the relocation of the persons.
Dominica and St Kitts and Nevis are among the CARICOM states that have sealed MoUs.
Discussion