OECS Heads Unite to Address EU Letter on Citizenship by Investment 

OECS Heads of State came together for a meeting in Dominica on July 10, 2026. The meeting was led by the Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit. The heads of states of the five OECS States, PM Gaston Browne, Representing Antigua and Barbuda, Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, Representing Grenada, Prime Minister Roosebeelt Skerrit Representing Dominica, PM Phillip J Pierre from Saint Lucia and Prime Minister Dr Terrance Drew representing St Kitts, got together to discuss the implications of the communication that the states have received from the European Union regarding Citizenship by Investment Programme.

The meeting served as a plaftrorm for the leadership of the OECS five to ponder on the implication of the letters that all five jurisdictions have received from the European union.

The OECS Heads of Government have reviewed the potential implications of the recent communication from the European Union.

They highlighted that communication can impact the economic resilience, sustainable development, and long-term prosperity of all the affected nations. Notably, the CBI programmes which these nations operate have a significant impact on the economic futures of these countries. The funds generated from the progamme help in funding investments in climate resilience, disaster recovery, infrastructure, healthcare, education, and more. The small island nations rely significantly on the funds generated from this source as such, if any changes are made to the programme, they must be made keeping in mind the needs and vulnerabilities of the small island nations.

The OECS states have advocated that any future adjustments to existing arrangements must take full account of the economic realities and development vulnerabilities of small island developing states. Further they claimed that if any changes are to be brought, they must come with the creation of a comprehensive framework that protects the economic stability and development gains that the nation has already achieved.

The officials have shared that the EU should help in the creation of sustainable alternative sources of financing.

In making these demands, the OECS heads of States have confirmed that they are aware of the need to maintain the highest standards of security, transparency, integrity, and good governance in the operation of Citizenship by Investment programmes.

During the meeting, the attending heads of states recalled that over the past years, the nations have made several reforms to their programmes and taken crucial steps for strengthening the integrity of the programme, improving due diligence and more

The OECS leadership also highlighted the creation of a Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority. The regional leaders call this regulatory authority a major advancement in regional governance and oversight.

The OECS heads have announced that they remain open to explore practical and mutually beneficial solutions to the issues identified by the European Union. The officials have shared that they will be planning a undertake a high-level mission to Brussels. In Brussels, the heads of states hope to engage directly with the President of the European Commission, the President of the European Council, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.

The governments also promised to explore practical and mutually beneficial solutions to the issues identified by the European Union. They committed to strengthen the longstanding partnership between the European Union and the Eastern Caribbean.

The head of states highlight the importance of preserving economic stability and development gains achieved through Citizenship by Investment programmes. As such any decisions made in this direction, discussions must relate to the states getting opportunities for enhanced development cooperation, strategic investment partnerships, climate resilience financing, economic diversification initiatives.

Anthony Morris

Reporter at SKN News | [email protected] |  + postsBio ⮌

Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.