Economic Integration

Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)-The OECS was established by the Treaty of Basseterre signed on June 18, 1981 in an effort to deepen the sub-regional arrangements among the then WISA Members. As Associate Members they participate in all the Committees of the Organisation except those related to Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security. The OECS is governed by The Authority (Heads ofGovernment) comprising the Prime Ministers/Chief Ministers from all of the Member States. Supporting the Authority is: the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Defence and Security Committee, the Economic Affairs Committee (which oversees the operations of the East Caribbean Common Market) and a Central Secretariat. The Central Secretariat is the principal administrative organ of the OECS. The OECS hasits headquarters in Saint Lucia and is headed by a Director General.
Among the OECS’ Aim are:
* The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an organisation which aims to contribute to the sustainable development of its nine member states.
* stimulate growth and improve competitiveness through support for governments’ efforts to facilitate and encourage private sectordevelopment,
* including public sector modernization and the provision of key utility services on a sub-regional basis;
* reduce social and economic vulnerability through the promotion of greater social inclusion,
* including the development of social protection strategies for the sub-region, particularly targeting youth-at-risk and other disadvantaged groups,
* and strengthen disasterrisk management.

Among the OECS’ objectives are:
* Promoting cooperation among Member States at the regional and international level;
* Assisting Member States in the realization of their obligations and responsibilities to the international community with due regard to the role of international law as a standard of conduct in their relationships;
* Seeking to achieve the fullestpossible level of harmonization of foreign policy among the Member States;
* Seeking to adopt, as far as possible, common positions on international issues and to establish and to maintain wherever possible, arrangements for joint overseas representation and/or common services;
* And promoting economic integration among the Member States.

The OECS is a nine member grouping comprisedby
* Antigua and Barbuda,
* the Commonwealth of Dominica,
* Grenada,
* Montserrat,
* St. Kitts and Nevis,
* St. Lucia, and
* St. Vincent and
* the Grenadines.
* Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands are associate members of the OECS.

ASSOCIATION OF CARIBBEAN STATES (ACS)
The Convention Establishing the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) wassigned on 24 July 1994 in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia, with the aim of promoting consultation, cooperation and concerted action among all the countries of the Caribbean, comprising 25 Member States and three Associate Members. Eight other non-independent Caribbean countries are eligible for associate membership.
Among the ACS Aim are:
* aims to represent, promote and protect the interest of thelegal profession within the territories of its members (including the honour and independence of practicing lawyers and the judiciary),
* to be concerned with questions of human rights and the rule of law,
* to protect the public's rights of access to the courts and to legal representation,
* to work for the improvement of the administration of justice and to undertake any actionwhich contributes to the protection and preservation of fundamental conditions for a well ordered society.
Among the ACS’ objectives are:
* The objectives of the ACS are enshrined in the Convention and are based on the following:
* the strengthening of the regional co-operation and integration process,
* with a view to creating an enhanced economic space in the region;
*...