NASSAU, Bahamas – As Caribbean leaders began two days of talks here yesterday, newly elected Barbados Prime Minister David Thompson called on colleagues to state clearly their positions on issues affecting the regional integration movement.

Thompson, attending his first inter-sessional summit since his Democratic Labour Party (DLP) was elected to office in the January 15 General Election, said matters such as the cost of living, functional cooperation, crime and further deepening of the integration process all needed to be addressed collectively.

"I believe with the infusion of new leaders we need to take fresh guard, knowing where each of us stands on critical issues and to breathe a new sense and focus and purpose to our regional movement.

"Our agenda must be that of the collective population which we represent. We need to each sign on philosophically to a precise flight to getting to our destination," the Prime Minister said.

Thompson told the summit's opening ceremony that there was a need to devise immediate relief for the population of the Caribbean as it relates to the high cost of living.

He hinted at the need for a reduction in some of the taxes on goods under the Common External Tariff (CET), a common tax imposed by Caribbean governments on imported goods to the region.

"In the face of rising global prices, food security is increasingly in peril and we must respond. An examination of the CET must lead to firm decision by all of us on its removal from products essential to a wider and healthier basket of goods," Thompson said.

He said his vision on the way forward for CARICOM should involve the crop of new regional leaders injecting novel perspectives as it relates to the provision of more benefits to the people of the Caribbean.

During his address, Thompson made reference to the recent massacres in Guyana where gunmen shot and killed 23 people, including five children and three police officers.

"We in Barbados stand firmly in solidarity with our sister nation. Let us send a clear message to these assassins that we are ready, willing and able to put to the disposal of the Government of Guyana whatever assistance is necessary to carry out its primary obligation and role of protecting its people," he said.

Thompson also said the region must quickly adopt a transportation policy that would facilitate easier travel throughout the region. (CMC)