Premier of the Virgin Islands, Honourable Dr. Natalio Wheatley will be attending the 74th Meeting of the OECS Authority in St. Kitts from February 14 to 15.

The Premier’s attendance at these official meetings is to continue to promote the overall socio-economic and political interests of the Virgin Islands.

Premier Wheatley stated, “As leader of Government business, I will seek to further engage in strategic discussions with our regional partners as we strive together towards a sustainable future that is in alignment with our collective priority areas.”

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is an international inter-governmental organisation dedicated to regional integration in the Eastern Caribbean. The OECS Authority is the supreme policy-making body of the OECS and is responsible for the general direction and control of the performance and functions of the Organisation.

Meanwhile, Deputy Premier and Minister for Financial Services Labour and Trade, Honourable Lorna G. Smith, OBE, has been appointed to act as Premier from February 13 to February 15 while Premier Wheatley is away from the Virgin Islands. The Premier is scheduled to return to the Territory on February 15.  

The Premier is accompanied by Assistant Secretary in the International Affairs Secretariat, Ms. Xyrah Wheatley.

Honourable Smith’s appointment is in accordance with Section 55 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007 which states, “If the Premier is expected to be absent from the Virgin Islands for more than forty-eight hours, the Governor shall authorise the Deputy Premier to perform the functions of the office of Premier; and the Governor shall revoke this authority on the return to the Virgin Islands of the Premier.”