Bermuda has nothing to fear from associate membership in the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) and quite a bit to gain, according to Anguilla's Minister for CARICOM affairs, Victor Banks.

"It just makes sense," Mr. Banks told The Royal Gazette. "Globalisation is real and you're part of it sooner or later. If Europe is getting together we have got to get together too."

Anguilla joined Turks and Caicos and the British Virgin Islands to become the third Associate Member of the regional group, in 1998.

All three are British Overseas Territories.

Mr. Banks said his country joined CARICOM because of a trend among international donor agencies and other organisations to provide assistance on a regional basis.

"So it behoves us to be a part of CARICOM to avail ourselves of these opportunities. In addition there are certain services that we as a small territory can not provide ourselves," he said. "You are far wealthier per capita but in terms of the total resources of independent countries - they have a larger budget."

He added that sharing resources through the CARICOM mechanism and associated institutions makes sense because it is cost effective.

"I think it's important (for Bermuda) to identify themselves with a wider region because that's the way the world is moving," he said.

"Bermuda will not only benefit by getting aid directly but could also offer assistance to the region."

Bermuda "has a lot to contribute to the overall cohesiveness of the region", Mr. Banks continued.

"I think it would serve us well if all of the Caribbean states were involved in a hemispheric regional organisation."

Asked how Bermuda could benefit, he said "technical assistance could be shared... university services, medical services and social services".

He was unable to give a definite figure on the costs of membership to Anguilla but he said the majority of the costs are for attending meetings and conferences. In addition, Anguilla contributes to the costs of maintaining the CARICOM Secretariat and various fees.

As an associate member, he explained, Anguilla is "not involved in protocols or agreements of CARICOM".

As to whether the same benefits could be had without joining the organisation, he said there are some opportunities you can access but CARICOM would have to extend them to you. And it would be within the context that you intend to join".

He said Caribbean nations considered Bermuda a part of the region even if it is in the Atlantic ocean.

"But it is up to Bermuda to determine where it is." Anguilla's association with CARICOM had not impacted negatively on its relationship with Britain, added Mr. Banks.

"Generally speaking we kind of have a free hand with what we do with the Caribbean organisation, unless it runs counter to their interests," he said. "It has happened on occasion," he replied when asked if Britain had ever interfered in its dealings with CARICOM.

Citing the fact that CARICOM recognises the People's Republic of China and the breakaway province of Taiwan while Britain only recognises China, he said Britain had made it clear that Anguilla could not attend CARICOM meetings with Taiwan in an official capacity.

And there is no link between the CARICOM association and accepting full British citizenship, he added, saying: "If it's just a question of passports it doesn't have anything to do with our belonging to the region."

Mr. Banks did say that Anguilla and other territories had moved cautiously on moves towards a single market.

"Anguilla, while not as prosperous as Bermuda, is still much better off than others in the region and you don't want to open up and get swamped. So there are always these issues of protectionism. We have not acceded to freedom of movement across the region - we are allowed to do it when we can."

Economic integration "is the ultimate objective, but the timetable is another matter," he continued. "And I don't think anyone would do it unless they are ready. We would have to do it from the position of not being a loser or not being swamped."