ROSEAU, Dominica (CMC) —The French island of Saint Martin will become an associate member of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) when the sub-regional grouping meets in the French island on Wednesday, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said.

Skerrit told reporters that he would be attending the 76th meeting of the OECS Authority where the French island will join existing associate members Martinique and Guadeloupe.

“I will participate in the 76th meeting of the OECS Authority at the accession of Saint Martin to the OECS,” Skerrit said, adding “this strength of the OECS and by extension CARICOM ties in our unity, our shared goals and our ability to face challenges together.

“When we stand as one Caribbean we negotiate better, we trade smarter and we develop stronger,” he said, adding that Dominica has always been a champion of regional integration.

“This is why I am proud to stand with my fellow OECS leaders in welcoming Saint Martin into the OECS family,” he said, adding “as Dominicans, we must embrace the spirit of unity, strength and progress, not just regionally but nationally. This is how we move forward as a people.”

St Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J Pierre, will chair the OECS meeting and will preside over the accession ceremony.

A statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister in St Lucia said that the OECS leaders meeting “will focus on key regional priorities, including economic development and cooperation”.

The OECS groups the islands of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St Kitts-Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands Martinique and Guadeloupe.