Browne Joins Regional Leaders as CARICOM Grapples with Secretary General Dispute (photo credit ABS)

Prime Minister Gaston Browne has joined fellow CARICOM leaders for a regional summit where the reappointment of Secretary General Dr. Carla Barnett has emerged as a key issue.

Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica have questioned the procedure used to extend Barnett’s tenure, prompting debate among Heads of Government.

In response, leaders agreed to begin the process of seeking an advisory opinion from the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ) to clarify the Community’s rules governing the appointment of the Secretary General. Barnett will remain in office while the court’s opinion is being sought.

The summit is also focusing on a range of regional matters, including global geopolitical developments, energy security, food security and other challenges facing CARICOM member states.

Browne is attending the meeting with a four-member delegation comprising Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to CARICOM, Dr. Clarence Henry, Senior Foreign Service Officer Kurt Williams and Project Development Officer Juray Roberts.

The conference is expected to result in decisions on several regional priorities as CARICOM works to address economic, political and security issues across the region.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: PM Browne Joins CARICOM Leaders for Talks on Secretary General Dispute.