HAVANA, July 5 (Xinhua) -- The Community of Caribbean States (CARICOM), which is marking its 50th anniversary on Tuesday, has successfully integrated the region, a Cuban expert told Xinhua.
"The general outcome has been very positive compared to that of other integration processes in Latin America," said Antonio Romero, president of the Chair of "Norman Girvan" Caribbean Studies at the University of Havana.
The academician said that the regional bloc has succeeded in the free flow of goods and services, which has been highly beneficial for the economies of its member states.
At the same time, he said, a legal framework has been implemented to regulate the different transactions related to the economic integration of Caribbean nations.
Romero said that significant progress has been made by important institutions related to the functioning of CARICOM, which has resulted in the seeking of unity among Caribbean countries.
He underscored that CARICOM could stand in favor of common positions and interests in critical international forums as part of its integration process.
"The bloc is widely recognized as a valid interlocutor of small nations of Caribbean insular states," he said.
The expert on political sciences said that CARICOM attaches great importance to functional cooperation among its member states in keeping with the bloc's founding principles established by the Treaty of Chaguaramas, which was signed on July 4, 1973.
Romero said that except for Suriname and Guyana, CARICOM member states are small and vulnerable countries that do not share land borders.
"We are talking about nations with asymmetries among them," he said, adding that the Treaty of Chaguaramas greatly contributes to the development of Caribbean countries.
The expert also said that the contribution of the Association of Caribbean States has been fundamental for CARICOM, adding that despite undeniable achievements, there is a long way to go to effectively integrate small insular Caribbean states.
The Treaty of Chaguaramas established CARICOM and came into effect on Aug. 1, 1973 to deepen regional integration. The 45th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Trinidad and Tobago ends on Wednesday. ■