Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Hon. Baldwin Spencer and OECS Director General Dr. Len Ishmael held a joint press conference on Friday March 24th to continue the round of media launches for OECS 25th anniversary celebrations.

Prime Minister Spencer, who takes over the Chairmanship of the OECS Authority at the upcoming 43rd Authority meeting, June 21-23 in St. Kitts/Nevis, told the media houses in attendance that they have a major role to play in spreading the message of the OECS.

He said the 25th anniversary celebrations were significant, not just because of the milestone, but also because of plans to use the  occasion to further deepen the OECS integration movement, with Heads of Government due to sign a Declaration of Intent to implement a new Economic Union Treaty.

Dr. Ishmael also urged the media to give their full support.  She outlined the major elements of the anniversary programme, emphasizing the significance of the Economic Union treaty to deepening the integration of the OECS, and pointing to the heavy symbolism of the first OECS flag which will be unveiled on the 21st June.

Media representatives were given copies of  what Prime Minister Spencer referred to as an attractive media kit.  Radio Stations on the island were earlier given CDs of the latest OECS 25 jingle and were pleased to hear the main voice on the jingle was Antiguan Raymond O’Keiffe.  The lone TV station was also given a DVD of the TV version of the jingle.

Prime Minister Spencer says the OECS 25 celebrations are special to Antigua/Barbuda, which this year is also celebrating its 25th anniversary of political independence.