Philip Pierre, St Lucia’s prime minister, is correct about the potential of Caribbean integration and what regional citizens should expect from their countries’ membership of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

“(They) must be able to see themselves reflected in the regional agenda and feel that CARICOM is working to improve their lives, expand their opportunities, and strengthen their future,” Mr Pierre said in a statement last week as he assumed a six-month chairmanship of the 15-member community.

This realisation should set Mr Pierre’s priority today when he takes the gavel as CARICOM heads of government begin their 51st regular summit in the St Lucian town of Gros Islet. That must be settling the more than four-month impasse between Trinidad and Tobago and other regional partners over the continued tenure of Carla Barnett as CARICOM’s secretary general.