6-month travel fix

Prime Minister Freundel Stuart. (FP)

By Dawne Parris | Sun, July 15, 2012 - 12:09 AM

CARICOM officials were caught by surprise when Prime Minister Freundel Stuart reported a week ago that Barbados had not yet implemented a free movement measure agreed to five years ago.

Free movement specialist in the Bridgetown-based CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) Unit, Stephen McAndrew, told the SUNDAY SUN that a Barbadian official had reported last year that the country had fully implemented the six-month entry for CARICOM nationals unanimously agreed by Heads of Government in 2007.

He said while Barbados would not face any penalties from the 15-member regional bloc for misreporting, “conflict could arise” if CARICOM nationals insisted on being granted the time.

Speaking at the close of the 33rd Regular Meeting Of The Conference Of Heads of Government in St Lucia earlier this month, Stuart said his administration was looking to give the automatic stay full effect, subject to security and other considerations.

Share your thoughts

Please sign in or register to post your comments.

Page 1 of 1 pages

Posted by J. Payne 10 months, 1 week ago: So how could this impact the visa free access to Europe? Is European union's diplomat to Barbados comfortable maintaining visa free access for Barbadians to the Schengen area when this country could essentially become an open proxy for others to the E.U. ?

I Like
I Dislike

Comment Link

Posted by Andrew G Carter 10 months, 1 week ago: How much more is this Government going to embarrass us among our Caricom neighbours? THIS IS SHOCKING!!!

Furthermore, this automatic 6 months entry is bare foolishness. Each case should be decided on its merit with the understanding that a Caricom national can get up to 6 months at the port of entry. Who in tarnation agreed to this?