Cancilleres de Jamaica y Trinidad y Tobago resuelven conflicto y firman acuerdo sobre inmigración

Jamaica y Trinidad y Tobago firmaron un acuerdo sobre inmigración que delinea un camino para mejorar el libre comercio y la libre circulación de personas entre los dos países, revelaron hoy fuentes oficiales.

El ministro trinitario de Relaciones Exteriores, Winston Dookeran; y su homólogo jamaicano, Arnold J. Nicholson, rubricaron la víspera un pacto para revisar un incidente de inmigración ocurrido el 19 de noviembre último.

En esa ocasión, agentes de aduanas de Puerto España negaron la entrada al país a 13 jamaicanos, alegando que podían convertirse en una carga para el erario.

La situación se transformó incluso en una amenaza de guerra comercial entre los dos estados miembros de la Comunidad del Caribe (Caricom).

Sin embargo, ambos cancilleres revisaron las cuestiones comerciales y debatieron sobre la aplicación de los acuerdos de libre movimiento de personas firmados por los dos países en el seno del Mercado Común de la Comunidad del Caribe (CSME, por sus siglas en inglés).

Con esas medidas, los diplomáticos pusieron fin a esa problemática y resaltaron la necesidad de mantener el buen estado de las históricas relaciones bilaterales.

Dookeran anunció que extendió una invitación a Nicholson para que visite Puerto España a finales del primer trimestre de 2014 y así dar seguimiento a los acuerdos nacidos de los encuentros de estos dos últimos días.

Por su parte Nicholson dijo que entre las decisiones surgidas de las discusiones se abordó la necesidad de movimiento sin complicaciones para los jamaiquinos en Trinidad y Tobago, haciendo hincapié en que «esto debe aplicarse de conformidad con el Derecho comunitario».

Luego de dos días de intensas discusiones, las delegaciones involucradas en el incidente acordaron convocar a una reunión urgente de los jefes de los Departamentos de Inmigración de la Caricom.

La cita tendrá como fin de elaborar iniciativas que sensibilicen a esos funcionarios en el trato justo a los nacionales del ente regional que ejercen sus derechos dentro de la Comunidad.

http://www.prensa-latina.cu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&idioma=1&id=2145501&Itemid=1

Jamaica and Trinidad Sign Agreement to Facilitate Easier Trade and Movement

Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago have signed an agreement outlining the path to take in improving free trade and free movement arrangements between the two countries.

The signing of the agreement follows two-days of talks between Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Hon. A.J. Nicholson, and his Trinidad and Tobago counterpart, Hon. Winston Dookeran, stemming from a recent incident in which 13 Jamaicans were refused entry into the twin island republic.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry’s New Kingston offices on December 3, immediately following the talks, Minister Nicholson informed that among the decisions coming out of the discussions, was the need for hassle-free movement for Jamaicans into Trinidad and Tobago, stressing that this must be applied in conformity with Community Law.

“Given the paradigm shift in immigration law and procedures in relation to the treatment of CARICOM nationals entering countries of the region, both our countries recognised the need for a common approach and interpretation of the law,” Minister Nicholson stated.

He said it was also agreed that there must be a review of national legislation, to ensure uniformity in the application of the Shanique Myrie ruling by the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).

In addition, it was underscored that immigration officials, in exercising their discretion on entry or refusal, must show respect to each person seeking to enter the respective jurisdiction.

Mr. Nicholson also told journalists that notwithstanding the fact that a significant number of Jamaicans has entered Trinidad and Tobago without any difficulty within the last year, it was agreed that the immigration authorities of both countries must cooperate in addressing allegations of profiling.

In this regard, the two countries have agreed to cooperate in a number of areas in an effort to preserve the integrity of the regional integration movement and the implementation of the decisions of the Heads of Government regarding the Free Movement of Nationals.

They have also agreed to the recognition of skills certificates and the adoption of relevant legislation to allow for the hassle-free travel of all ten categories of skilled nationals.

In the meantime, Minister Dookeran said as part of the agreement with Jamaica, his government will be implementing a sensitisation training programme for immigration officials in that country to ensure that their decisions are in line with Community Law.

“We will establish a sensitisation programme for all those who are responsible for implementing immigration policies, whether it is through workshops or seminars,” he said.

“We assure that in due course we will be able to modify the behaviour of those, who are in charge of dealing with immigration matters to reflect the Community Law,” he added.

Mr. Dookeran said he has also agreed to increased cooperation between the immigration departments of the two countries. This, he said, will involve the exchange of data and information on a “hands-on basis”, so that there is a reduction in speculation and misinformation.

http://jis.gov.jm/jamaica-trinidad-sign-agreement-facilitate-easier-trade-movement/