INSIDE GRENADA MARCH 09, 2008 ST. GEORGE'S: Grenada’s Prime Minister Dr. the Rt. Hon. Keith Mitchell has said that regional leaders are taking a collective approach to some of the most important issues facing the region at this time. The agenda at the start of the 19th Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Caricom Heads of Government, focussed on rising cost of living , crime and security and regional air transport. Speaking from the meeting, Prime Minister Mitchell complimented his regional counterparts for what he called fruitful and productive discussions. Today’s session of the Heads of Government focussed heavily on the issue of rising cost of living as a follow up to a call by the Grenadian leader for a collective approach from Caricom Heads. Prime Minister Mitchell this morning commended Barbadian leader David Thomson for his intervention on the issue of food prices and continued to echo the call for a regional approach to tackle the problem. “In Grenada as had been done in other Caricom states, individual Governments have taken steps to stem the tide of rising food prices. However, collectively we as leaders have agreed that we need to do more and this is why the regional approach is so important. We have been having discussions on among other things, making modifications to the Common External Tariff aimed at driving down the price of basic food stuff,” Prime Minister Mitchell said. Another item high on the agenda for regional Heads was the issue of regional air transport. “I believe everyone knows my feelings about regional air transport. I see a properly run, efficient and affordable airline as one of the keys to the regional integration process. I believe we need to continue to look for solutions to improve the current situation,” Prime Minister Mitchell remarked. REPRINTED FROM GOVERNMENT OF GRENADA WEBSITE.