The National Liberal Party (NLP) sees "nothing wrong" with Bermuda joining Caricom, it said in a press statement yesterday.

"The most important thing to consider before joining Caricom is for the Bermuda Government to define the benefits and to tell the Bermuda people what membership means in exact cost and obligations," the party's vice-chairman Graeme Outerbridge said.

He told The Royal Gazette that the party considered Caricom membership as a benefit for Bermuda. Like Bermuda many other islands had sustainable development issues, he said.

"The more we can share with islands that are in the same boat as ourselves the more we can learn and it doesn't jeopardise any of our international relationships with the Commonwealth or the United States or Canada," said Mr. Outerbridge. "And historically we have had a long relationship with the West Indies in culture and trade and its a positive step to strengthen those ties."

He said Bermuda should also be developing relationships with the Azores with which there are also strong links.

"Obviously with there being a large Azorean population here we should be strengthening our relationship."

Debate has raged over the last few months over Government's bid to join the regional organisation as an Associate Member.

The United Bermuda Party (UBP) wants the issue to be examined by a bipartisan committee while former premier Sir John Swan has been a vocal opponent of the Island becoming an Associate Member of Caricom, saying it would put Bermuda's relationship with the United States at risk.

"The fears in the community can be erased when Government makes a strong case for membership with detailed facts," the NLP statement continued.

"The NLP believes that any Government must make decisions on the philosophy that will help them govern to the ideals of their party. If Caricom is a mistake, then a new government that replaces the PLP in the future can cancel the associate membership. However, the NLP sees nothing wrong with Caricom or many of the other small island associations under the UN. Information forum contacts on international bases are vital in the modern world. Bermuda has much to learn and much to share. We are a small part of a huge world and it is better to live in it rather than apart in the North Atlantic with our backs turned to change with a selfish concern for small Bermudian issues."

Government has promised that details of a public relations campaign will be announced shortly.