OECS AND EUROPEAN UNION TO SET UP COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS THE CBI PROGRAMME
Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 21, 2023 (SKNIS): Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and Chairman of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, said that the European Union has agreed to set up a committee to discuss and structure the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme.
Several OECS countries including St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and Saint Lucia all have CBI programmes that have been a good source of revenue. However, issues related to due diligence and the management of these programmes have raised concerns with countries such as the United Kingdom, which has recently revoked visa-free access to Dominicans because of those very concerns. Beginning August 16, 2023, citizens of Dominica will have to apply for a visa to enter the UK.
The Honourable Prime Minister stated that he met with EU representatives at the EU-CELAC (European Union-Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Summit in Brussels, Belgium, where various concerns regarding the programme were discussed.
“These concerns were surrounding issues of security, issues of abuse of the programme and the opportunity to be invited to be a citizen of the country,” Prime Minister Dr. Drew said.
Prime Minister Dr. Drew stated that these concerns were ultimately addressed in a document put forward by him and the Head of the Citizenship by Investment Unit, Michael Martin, which outlined how the programme has been strengthened.
“We showed in the document we sent to them that our due diligence is strong and where we think there might be abuse, we are going to address those matters,” he said.
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Outstanding response from the Prime Minister of St Kitt’s and Nevis the Honourable Dr. Terrance Drew, regarding CIP investments, and speaking with the European Union (EU) about it.
Tackling the bull by the horns full on, and looking to resolve the problem.
Putting his country and citizens first!
GASSSSSTON 🥸, WHEY YOU DEY?
Good attempt but just might be too little, too late. It is clear that the UK and other European countries are concerned about their borders and the potential of indiscreet persons from these CIP countries getting access to their borders through this CIP program. While visa free access to the UK is good for us, those countries have greater concerns.
Up till now I have not heard anything from the Dominican Prime Minister Concerning this matter. Just goes to show they don’t give a damn about their citizens
No difference between him and Gaston Browne. Remember Gaston and Roosevelt are the two criminals involved with the trafficking of Mehul Choksi. Gaston went even further with the trafficking Nigerians whom either died in the boat tragedy or have gone on to the US.
Guyana 🇬🇾 should be leading the discussions on behalf of the region. Guyana is the second most powerful nation in this region.
Caucasians are hooked on a cheap source of oil.
It’s the UK that’s imposing entry visa as a requirement to enter into the UK not the EU.
The UK is no longer within the EU. I can understand the OECS trying to get ahead of the issue with the EU. But what about England where our families are? And who have started imposing restrictions.
The OECS was warned over a year ago. Especially Dominica. You play with the hand that feed you…we all know what happens next.
Was warned by whom? We are sovereign states.
Yes you are. So retaliate and put visa restrictions on UK citizens entering Antigua and Barbuda! Stand lock step with Dominica your fellow OECS member state. Let the UK know you as a body will not stand for visa restrictions being put on them!
Let’s see how that turns out! BA and Virgin will fly right over VCBIA. The home cruise porting and other industries reliant on tourism will slow down more than you can imagine.
Well the UK is a sovereign state and has the right to protect their borders. You buffoons refuse to blame your corrupt leaders in the caribbean but want to criticize the UK for taking measures to protect its citizen. The UK should ban all you buffoons period from coming in. Your politicians are a reflection of you people. Y’all are just as corrupt and dumb. Take a look at the aljazeera documentary and you will understand!
Before I make a response to your comment @ John and get myself into trouble with the editorial team at ANR, can you forward the Aljazeera link that you’ve mentioned.
I can’t seem to locate it.
I’m very interested in watching it – Your response would be very much appreciated.
Looking forward John, so I can make an informed comment …
https://youtu.be/m1Yba1-ijh4
Many thanks John. Much appreciated …👍🏾
UK and such countries have grown up governments which are accountable to their parliaments. TheIr first priority is always the safety of their citizens and the security of their borders. They do not issue their passports to all and sundry like confetti. Passport scandals do not go unnoticed nor do shady dealings. They have more eyes that can see further and ears that can hear louder than one can imagined. Dish out passports to any Tom, Dick or Harry for a few bucks without due diligence and I mean due diligence and it might come back to bite you in the rear. Any relevance to the current visa issue? Your call.
What Caribbean Governments who are part of the “Commonwealth” should do is join forces and withdraw their membership from that community which does nothing for Caribbean citizens anyway. Let PM Mia Mortley lead the contingent to show the other ministers how it’s done. We may be small but we can impose our own sanctions too. So many are friends with China, Russia, África and all these cointries are much bigger thna the UK. In fact UK is just an island itself. With the mindset and capacity of Mia Mortley. She runs her country well.
Good call @ Martha 👍🏾
@Martha Prince. China, Russia and Africa do not support our tourism. Pin head sized countries on a world map cannot make it on their own and Antigua has no other industry but tourism. Antigua takes in millions from UK tourism and yearly grants from the UK.
Apparently the blame for the visa restrictions is with the CIP and in particular Nigeria. Nigerians want Antigua passports to get them into the UK and Europe and once there they do not leave. Nigeria is by far the most corrupt/scamming country in the world and just about every country has restrictions against them. Obviously, the Africans do not want to be in Antigua since they all left to illegally enter other countries they consider more desirable and/or lucrative.
We want to have our cake and eat it. Most of us are talking about cutting all ties with the UK. We are all independent states and are looking to replace the Governor General , the King’s representative as head of state , which I support.
So I don’t have any problems with the UK, EU , Canada or who ever say that we have to get visas to enter their country. In fact Antiguans will not have problems getting Visas. It is those that they want to keep out of their borders they will have control of with this restrictions.
Look how we gave away blank passports to the Nigerians airline scammers. We in the Caribbean are selling our sovereignty to who ever can pay, bar none. The only difference is that St.kitts is using the funds in a more accountable way.
WHERE’S @ JOHN?
YOU’VE SAID A LOT ABOUT ANTIGUANS AND THE ALJAREEZA REPORT … COME ON JOHN, OR PEOPLE MIGHT THINK WHAT YOU HAVE SAID IS A FIGMENT OF YOUR IMAGINATION.
PRETTY PLEASE @ JOHN.
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