The nine-nation Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) marked its 28th anniversary yesterday with initiatives aimed at furthering efforts towards a political union among member states.

The activities included the regional launch of an animated television series called 'U' that highlights the benefits of OECS integration to citizens of the sub-region, and promotes the proposed OECS Economic Union.

There will also be the release of a song entitled Oye U See Us, produced by a group of musicians to help draw public attention to the "big success stories of OECS integration" and to back the current moves to build stronger ties, the Castries-based OECS Secretariat said.

Focused, proactive response

OECS Director General Dr Len Ishmael, in her annual OECS Day message, noted the impact of the global financial and economic crisis on the small, open economies of member states and highlighted the "focused (and) proactive response" of OECS governments as they put measures in place to stem declines in key economic areas, such as tourism, construction, and foreign direct investments.

She said that a key element of the region's response is the ongoing work towards the creation of an OECS Economic Union.

The OECS was established with the June 18th 1981 signing of the Treaty of Basseterre. Member governments have taken the decision to move beyond the current areas of functional cooperation, and to establish an OECS Economic Union.

The governments have agreed to have the inauguration of the Economic Union on June 18th 2010, which marks the beginning of the OECS 30th anniversary year.

The OECS member states are Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia and St Vincent and the Grenadines.