The Governments of Jamaica and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago are set to intensify their collaborative efforts in crime fighting, violence prevention and other initiatives that seek to advance regional integration between both nations.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness disclosed details of the bilateral discussions held with Prime Minister Keith Rowley on Monday (August 29) during a joint press conference in the Trinidadian capital Port of Spain. The press conference followed the signing of a Trade Complaints Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Jamaica and Trinidad to improve trade relations.

Noting the similarities both countries share concerning the threat of violence, Holness shared Rowley’s earlier declaration of violence being a public health issue.

Said Holness: “We really need to take a public health approach in looking at why is it that violence features so heavily in our social transactions and how we resolve conflict.”

Considering this, the Jamaican prime minister indicated that national security was a high-priority area, among the notes exchanged between the two regional leaders.

Additionally, both heads of government discussed critical matters relating to CARICOM, the Caribbean Single Market and Economy (CSME) and the structured movement of labour, goods, services and capital within the Caribbean.

Holness added that sports, culture and business development were other key areas for collaboration.

“I want to commend and say thanks to Prime Minister Rowley for backing up the expressions of fulfilling with actual action in legislation and implementation,” said Holness, who is in Trinidad and Tobago until tomorrrow (September 1) for the twin-island republic’s 60th independence celebrations, a milestone shared by both Caribbean countries.