Browne Raises Prospect of Future Political Union Among OECS Countries

Prime Minister Gaston Browne says deeper regional cooperation within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States could eventually pave the way for a political union among member countries.

Speaking on Pointe FM, Browne said the OECS already has strong foundations through years of economic and functional cooperation and should continue building toward closer integration.

“I would love to see, eventually, that we set the platform based on increased cooperation among OECS countries, that we could have a political union in the future,” Browne said.

He added: “I may not be around, but I am of the view that it is the closest subgrouping, certainly in the hemisphere, to move towards having a political union.”

Browne said the region is already collaborating in several areas, including monetary policy, transportation and energy, and argued that stronger integration could reduce costs and improve services across the Eastern Caribbean.

“We’re starting from now, not necessarily to drive a political union at this point, but to set the framework for one in the future so that future generations can take this thing to the next level,” he said.

The prime minister made the remarks while discussing broader plans for increased OECS cooperation, including proposals for a regional airline, joint procurement systems and renewable energy partnerships.

Browne, who currently chairs the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union, also said OECS countries should explore sharing diplomatic missions and consolidating resources in areas where economic activity is limited.

“There’s no reason why we each have to have a mission in Canada,” Browne said, suggesting that some overseas representation could be jointly managed by OECS states.