Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has lamented that the Caribbean region is not as united as it should be despite the efforts towards a Caribbean Single Market and Economy CSME.
He made the comment while speaking at the official launch of Carifesta XIV – Caribbean Festival of Arts on Friday evening at the Queen’s Park Savannah, Port-of-Spain, where the beauty, creativity and culture from all across the region were put on display with a spectacular well-choreographed ceremony.
Some of the most notable performing artistes in the Caribbean also graced the stage.
But while it was an evening of celebration for Carifesta, which began since 1972, Rowley lamented that the region was not where it should be.
“But there is a tinge of sadness, that we could only note and move on for the moment, we are still separate sovereign states, when it could have been better. Maybe one border around us all, identifying us as one people,” he told the packed Grand Stand audience.
But he said all was not lost since there is still a fight to ensure the Caribbean can be one unit both politically and economically.
“We are working assiduously towards the creation of a single market and economy. And as we sdo that step by step, milestone by milestone, one day, one day hopefully in the not too distant future, politically we would be identified and economically, as the people of the Caribbean who have come into this region from all parts of the world living in harmony,” said Rowley.
Caricom Secretary-General Irwin La Roche also spoke at the launch.
He was high in praise for all the hard work done to ensure the event got off the ground. This country, which is hosting the cultural festival, came in for special mention for hosting Carifesta for the fourth time.
La Roche underscored the importance of Carifesta, saying it was not only about the events but regional and youth development.
There will be a total of 45 events for the ten-day festival in this country, which will be spread between both islands.