THE 29TH Caribbean Community Summit was dragging to a close yesterday evening with a mix of hope and frustration about arrangements to achieve a single economy as well as over contentious issues like a new economic partnership with the European Union (EU).

After intense, and at times tension-filled deliberations, the CARICOM leaders were preparing to release two declarations – one of which deals with the impending signing by member states of the Community (along with the Dominican Republic) and the EU of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) initialled last December in Barbados.

The other promised declaration pertaining to the way forward for CARICOM would be consistent with a signal given at the start of the four-day summit by host Prime Minister and current Community chairman, Baldwin Spencer:

"At the end of our deliberations," said Spencer, "I am confident that a Declaration of Dickenson Bay will proclaim to the Caribbean people and to the world, a renewed commitment to regional integration, with new emphasis . . . ."

However in the post-lunch period, and prior to their scheduled final caucus at Sandals Grande Antigua Resort located at Dickenson Bay, there were indications that frustration flowing from their deliberations on the EPA with Europe may result in derailing the prospect of a "declaration" on this accord since unanimity would be an essential factor. (RS)