Foreign Minister: “A Success On All Fronts, But This Is A Continuing Conversation”

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MONTEGO BAY, JAMAICA – A long night and even longer agenda, that’s how Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell described the opening day of the CARICOM summit.

Leaders pushed through hours of talks Monday, not wrapping up until after 1 A.M.

One key focus for The Bahamas? Helping six associate CARICOM members, mostly British territories, to make the transition to full membership.

Mitchell says the efforts were successful, but it wasn’t just membership matters on the agenda.

Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves says the region is ready to move beyond talk when it comes to combatting gang violence and organized crime.

With talks set to wrap up Tuesday evening, a final communique is expected, summing up what leaders agreed to and what the region can expect next.