CARICOM leaders have ended three-day summit in St Lucia agreeing on a new foreign policy direction that will allow the 15-member trading bloc to establish deeper relations with countries other than its traditional allies in Europe and North America.

Host Prime Minister and CARICOM Chairman, Dr Kenny Anthony says it is imperative for the region to embark on the new foreign policy coordination given the geopolitical changes taking place in the global environment and their implications for the community.

The regional countries have said they will now look to deepen their relations with the so-called BRICS countries, namely, Brazil, Russia, India, South Africa and China.

However, they have said they will not be pushing aside the traditional partners such as Europe, the United States and Canada.

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