Dominica signs agreement with France

     A readmission agreement aimed at addressing illegal migration between Dominica and the French Departments and an agreement to facilitate the visa-free travel of Dominicans to the French Departments in the Americas were signed between the governments of Dominica and France.

     Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced today that the government of Dominica had signed two new agreements with the government of France. The agreements, signed in Basse-Terre, Guadeloupe on March 19, 2006, included a readmission agreement and an agreement to facilitate the visa-free travel of Dominicans to the French Departments of the Americas. Dominicans wishing to travel to any of the French Departments will be able to do so without a visa for a maximum of 15 days at any given period. Under the readmission agreement, persons who enter an affected territory illegally via any of the participating countries will be returned to their last port of embarkation. “As law-abiding citizens of the world,” Skerrit said “we have a fundamental responsibility to work together to fight illegal migration. Dominica certainly upholds international law at all levels.”

     The Prime Ministers went on to describe the agreements as critical to the close bilateral relations between the two countries. “I look forward to the Minister for continuing deepening relationship with France. France has been a good friend of Dominica for a very long time and I can assure you that we will continue to deepen, strengthen and broaden the relationship between France and Dominica and of course the Departments of Guadeloupe, Martinique, St.Martin and French Guiana.”

     Skerrit further noted that Dominica had signed the agreement in good faith and called on all parties concerned to adhere to the articles of the agreements. “I call on us and on the French side to ensure that all of us recognize the importance of this agreement and the need to fulfill the spirit of this agreement. I am sure the Minister and all the various government levels in Guadeloupe will ensure that the public servants and all Guadeloupeans understand that we have to live up to the spirit of these two important agreements.”

     The Dominican delegation headed by the Prime Minister included Charles Savarin, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cecil Joseph, Executive Secretary of the Dominica Hucksters Association. Prime Minister Skerrit signed for and on behalf of the Government of Dominica while Nicolas Sarkozy, the French Interior Minister signed for and on behalf of the Government of France. Also present at the Basse Terre signing were the French Ambassador, the Préfet of Guadeloupe, the President of the Regional Council, Mayors of several communes of Guadeloupe and Dominica’s Honorary Consul.