PRIME Minister of St Kitts and Nevis and immediate former Caricom chairman Dr Terrance Drew on Sunday urged Caribbean leaders to resolve major disagreements through private discussions rather than public statements, saying the regional body's retreats and caucuses remain its greatest forum for building consensus.

Addressing the opening of the 51st Regular Meeting of the Conference of Caricom Heads of Government in St Lucia, Drew called on every head of government to make every effort to attend the regional body's functions whenever issues of major importance arise.

'Whenever this community faces matters of great significance, let us ensure that every head of government makes every effort to be present for our retreats and caucuses to resolve matters in-house. Those sessions remain among Caricom's greatest strengths,' he said.