“I fear it will be a gap that will be very difficult to fill if ever possible. He has been a virtual titan and hero of the Caribbean integration process.”

P. J. Patterson

Patterson was for more then 30 years involved in the integration process in the region and championed for the CARICOM Single Market that became a reality earlier this week.

“I don’t know how we are going to be able to fill the gap which his departure is going to leave. We have to face the fact and redouble our efforts to do what he would have done if he was there,” Carrington said in an interview with journalists from Suriname.

Suriname, one the later members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), is among the six member states currently forming the CARICOM Single Market.

On his political career and role in pushing the regional integration, Patterson said “it’s been a challenging exercise”.

Monday’s signing ceremony of the single market documents indicate that “the steps we have taken are rewarding” the Jamaican leader added.

“I have decided to step from the political scene to retreat into public live. I am sure that there are others who will move to fill any gaps that might presently exist”.

Next week Patterson for the last time will lead a Jamaican delegation when the CARICOM Heads of Government convene in Port of Spain for their 17th Inter-sessional Meeting.

“By the time later in the year when the next full meeting will be held in St Kitts, a new leader would have been duly appointed,” he said.