Political leaders buried their differences on Monday to pay tribute to former Prime Minister P.J. Patterson who was recently conferred with the Order of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Leading the way was Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller.

Golding said Patterson's commitment to Caribbean regionalism was unquestionable.

"No one can question the contribution he has made to Caribbean development. No one can question the quality of leadership he has offered to the Caribbean Community.

"No one can question the respect he commands, the prestige he enjoys, not only throughout the wider Caribbean but indeed as a Caribbean man in any council of the world. He's a remarkable individual," Golding said.

According to Golding, Patterson fully deserved the regional award.

"The award was made with unanimity. Through the many years in which he has been engaged, he has played an important role in defining the principles and goals of the CARICOM movement.

"He was involved in the shaping of the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas and he has been at the helm of so much of what has happened in CARICOM through the transition from the Cold War to globalisation and the significant impact that this has had on the Caribbean," Golding argued.

Time for cooperation

In accepting the award, Patterson said Jamaica's future advance cannot depend solely on its efforts as an island state.

He said Jamaica will have to work with neighbouring countries to overcome the years of neglect.

"While the leaders and the political directorate are trustees for the regional integration movement, it is something that must involve the people and we must find a way to make CARICOM matter to the people, to the business community and to our workers," Patterson said.

The Order of the Caribbean Community is conferred on nationals of member states of the Caribbean Community who have a record of outstanding service and contributions to the political, social and cultural development of the region.