The president told a media conference on Friday that government will maintain its position at the meeting for Guyanese living in sister CARICOM countries to be treated with respect.

The president, who has been very vocal on the issue of free movement of skills over the past months, said Guyana has repeatedly made it clear that it will defend its citizens whereever they are and insists that their rights be preserved, adding that when confronted with the law in another countries dignity and human rights of Guyanese is very important.

“We’ve made it clear that we will defend our citizens wherever they are and we will insist that their rights be observed and that they be treated with dignity when the legislation of the states they live in is being enforced. The dignity and human rights of our people are very important,” Jagdeo stressed.

The issue of the free movement of CARICOM nationals will be a key topic of discussion, and has already received a lot of attention over the previous months and Jagdeo indicated that the Heads will not shirk away from addressing these issues because there is enough goodwill in the region to ensure that there are favourable outcomes that are respectful of the revised treaty of Chagauramas and the other charters guiding the integration movement.

The incoming CARICOM chairman said he expected several perspectives would be expressed on immigration including about the breath of the integration movement and the emphasis that it places on all the factors of production, including labour, however noted that while every country is entitled to their sovereignty, some of that sovereignty would have been ceded to any integration movement if that state voluntarily accedes to a multilateral agreement.

He warned that a country cannot claim sovereignty when things are going well but then seek to reap the benefits of a larger multilateral process when things turn for the worse” you cant have your cake and eat it”

Jagdeo is hopeful that leaders can address the matter in a spirited matter and a resolution can be brought to the issue which he said is taking on significant attention around the region.

“No goodwill comes out of this if we engage in name-calling. I think what is needed now is a sensible discussion that takes account of the interests and concerns of all the parties…(we have) to ensure that, at the end of the day, we have a framework that treats people, particularly Caribbean people, the way they should be treated,” he concluded.