Prime Minister Andrew Holness, has rejected claims that his administration is reluctant to participate in Caricom.

He was opening the debate on the Bruce Golding report, which reviewed Jamaica’s relations within Caricom and Cari-forum frameworks.

He added that the government has always maintained that Jamaica’s participation in any regional organisation must make sense for the country.

Mr. Holness explained that concerns that arose in 2016 regarding issues of free movement of persons within the region and unfair trade practices prompted the commissioning of the team to study the issues and advise the government.

He also called for bi-partisan consideration of the recommendations of the report so they can be shared at the upcoming regular meeting of Caricom in July.

Mr. Holness told the house that since tabling the report in February this year, the entire region has been awaiting the government’s final position on the document.