Premier Wheatley at 78th OECS Meeting
Premier Natalio Wheatley attended the 78th OECS Heads of Government meeting where leaders discussed economic development, climate resilience, security and freedom of movement. Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne assumed the OECS Chairmanship and called for closer ties with Spanish-speaking neighbours while leaders agreed steps on EU talks and a US deportee negotiation team.
Premier Natalio Wheatley represented the British Virgin Islands at the 78th Meeting of the Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), joining regional leaders for the opening ceremony on June 21, 2026. At the start of the meeting, Prime Minister Gaston A.
Browne of Antigua and Barbuda officially assumed the Chairmanship of the OECS Authority from Prime Minister Dr. Friday of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. In his remarks after taking the chair, PM Browne urged member states to look beyond traditional markets and to deepen economic and commercial ties with Spanish‑speaking neighbours, singling out Panama as a key partner.
The agenda at the 78th meeting covered a wide range of priorities that bear directly on the BVI and the wider Eastern Caribbean: economic development and regional integration, climate resilience, security, food and energy security, freedom of movement, and enhanced cooperation in health, education and digital transformation.
Of particular note to regional jurisdictions were two major outcomes. First, OECS leaders agreed to seek high‑level discussions with the European Union before the end of the year amid growing concern that visa‑free access to the Schengen Area could be curtailed for countries operating Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes.
Any changes in Schengen access would have implications for travel, tourism and the reputations of jurisdictions in the region, and could influence policy discussions across Caribbean territories. Second, leaders approved the establishment of a high‑level advisory team to guide negotiations with the United States over a request for OECS member states to accept deportees who are not citizens of the receiving countries.
The proposal touches on sensitive migration and security issues and will require careful diplomatic engagement; the advisory team is expected to steer those talks and advise on regional positions. For residents of the BVI, the meeting’s focus on climate resilience and cooperative approaches to health, education and digital transformation is especially relevant.
The BVI faces persistent hurricane, infrastructure and public‑health risks; strengthened regional coordination could improve disaster response, access to technical support and collaborative funding opportunities. While the British Virgin Islands is not a full OECS member, participation by the Premier underscores continued engagement with regional partners on issues that affect trade, travel, security and resilience.
Leaders said they will press forward on these priorities throughout the year as they prepare for follow‑up discussions and negotiations.
Primary source: VINO