WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) — Antigua and Barbuda and the United States are expected to resume discussions shortly on the possible reception of a limited number of third-country nationals removed from the US.

Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, said the talks will resume at the request of the US Government and form part of a broader American initiative involving several countries, including some Caribbean Community (Caricom) member states.

Antigua and Barbuda will enter the resumed negotiations on the basis of the resolution adopted by the House of Representatives earlier this year, which established the principles and safeguards governing the country’s participation in any such arrangement.

Among other safeguards, the parliamentary framework preserves Antigua and Barbuda’s sovereign authority to approve or reject every individual proposed for transfer on a case-by-case basis.

It rejects any automatic or open-ended programme and requires satisfactory legal, operational, financial and administrative arrangements before any transfer can take place.

These include adequate arrangements concerning identity and documentation, accommodation and support, legal status, security, funding, and responsibility for onward movement or return.

The negotiations will also be conducted under the oversight of Prime Minister Gaston Browne, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs the Honourable Sir Steadroy Benjamin, and Minister of Foreign Affairs E Paul Chet Greene.

According to Sanders, no final agreement has been settled with the United States and no transfer of any third-country national has been authorised under the proposed arrangements.

The purpose of the resumed discussions is to determine whether terms can be agreed that are consistent with the parliamentary framework, Antigua and Barbuda’s laws and international obligations, and the national interest.

The Government of Antigua and Barbuda continues to approach the discussions in a spirit of cooperation with the United States, while ensuring that the country’s sovereignty, security, financial interests and limited absorptive capacity are fully protected and that its legal and international obligations are respected.

Consistent with the commitment to transparency that has guided the Government’s handling of this matter, the Government said the public will continue to be informed of the status of the negotiations and of any material developments.