St Lucia’s Pierre urges Caribbean unity after Ireland ends visa-free travel
Ireland’s new visa rule, which took effect on June 15, also affects St Kitts and Nevis and Nicaragua.
CASTRIES, St Lucia. St Lucia’s prime minister, Philip Pierre, has said the Caribbean needs to unite more in the face of growing anti-immigration trends around the world, after Ireland revoked visa-free travel for St Lucians.
Speaking to reporters this week, Mr Pierre said people in the region should take note of sweeping anti-immigration policies globally and focus more on improving the lot of Caribbean nationals.
He spoke hours after Irish authorities withdrew visa-free access for St Lucians, following Britain’s lead in the past year. The new rule also affects nearby St Kitts and Nevis and Nicaragua.
‘Very insular’
“The situation is that these countries have decided that they are going to be anti-immigrant. That’s why it’s so important that our region get together, because the whole world seems to be getting very insular,” Mr Pierre said.
“I have no control over Irish internal policy. The Irish government decides what’s in the best interest of Ireland,” he added.
He complained that his administration had been officially notified of the change only last Friday, with no prior discussions with Irish officials.
Citizenship by investment
Britain had cited concerns about citizenship by investment, or golden passport, programmes, through which foreigners can obtain citizenship with as little as a $100,000 down-payment and investment in real estate or other sectors. Ireland did not raise the passport schemes.
The US and European nations say they doubt the ability of participating countries to conduct proper due diligence on applicants, though very few have run into trouble with international enforcement agencies.
Transitional arrangements
The rule took effect on June 15, but travellers with existing plans can enter visa-free until mid-July.
Irish officials said they recognised “that changes of this nature may affect some individuals who may already have travel plans in place,” and that transitional arrangements would apply.
“This is a carefully considered decision that brings Ireland more closely in line with the approach taken in the United Kingdom and across Europe,” the announcement said, describing it as part of an ongoing process of alignment with the UK and the Schengen Area.
