BASSETERRE, St Kitts: The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) marked an historic point in its existence on Wednesday, June 21, when it raised the first ever OECS flag before OECS Heads of Government, regional and international officials, and members of the public, on the compound of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), in St Kitts. The flag raising is among a number of events being held this year to mark the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Basseterre, which established the OECS on June 18, 1981. The large gathering was told that the flag and colour scheme represent a positive celebration of the sub-region, while never losing a sense of formality, projecting the OECS as a meaningful and increasingly strong voice within the Caribbean sea. The flag has an internal ring which shows the nine elements of the OECS, evolving into nine points of contact, radiating from the core, out into the region and beyond. There is an outer “O” which is for the OECS and which is circled by another ring, representing the world at large. The double ring gives the flag a constant dynamism, indicative of movement and growth. The central core of the flag, also carries a resemblance of a blossoming flower, and a tertiary resemblance of science and technology. The colours are fresh and clean, optimistic and bright as a “refreshed Caribbean” moving out to meet new opportunities, while the formal dark blue retains a firm, corporate and establishment influence. In addition to the flag, the new design will also be used as the new OECS logo, replacing the current logo which is designed as a handshake encircled by nine points and stars. The flag, logo and logotype were designed and developed for the OECS by Present Image Design Limited, a Total Identity Development and Image Management Company, located in St. Lucia. The company was represented and acknowledged at the flag raising ceremony. Reprinted from Caribbean Net News caribbeannetnews.com