GOV'T, OPPOSITION VALE ROYAL TALKS PROMPTS JOINT STATEMENT
The governing Jamaica Labour Party and the Opposition People's National Party yesterday convened the first in a series of Vale Royal Talks at the University of the West Indies Regional Office. The meeting, which is part of a collaborative and constructive dialogue between the Government and Opposition, focused on a number of important national issues. The leaders held frank and in-depth discussions on national security, crime, violence and public safety as well as discussions on important legislation proposed by the Government. The discussions included:
Crime and National Security
Parliamentary Procedures and Committees
Voter Re-verification
Prime Minister Holness and Opposition Leader Dr Peter Phillips found common ground on several important issues of national development and pledged to continue discussions to arrive unified conclusions on the way forward. Particularly, it was agreed that several draft policies and bills would be shared for future discussions. Both sides agreed that the Electoral Commission of Jamaica would provide, a plan within a month on how to ensure the maintenance of clean voters' list. There was also a decision to consider the inclusion of private sector, church and civil society groups periodically to participate in the dialogue on crime, violence and public order. Both leaders spoke of the importance of ensuring the positive framework established through the Vale Royal Talks, is preserved and encouraged.
Horace Chang General Secretary - Jamaica Labour Party Julian Robinson General Secretary - People's National Party