Forty-five years after Jamaica became a member of the Commonwealth, the Government and Opposition are at one in touting the benefits of Jamaica's participation in the group of nations formerly ruled by Britain.

The Commonwealth is an association of 53 independent states consulting and cooperating in the common interests of their peoples and in the promotion of international understanding and world peace.

Senator Delano Franklyn, State Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, said last week that the association is still relevant to the country.

"It allows opportunity for Commonwealth members to come together to share their experiences and to also develop bilateral/ multilateral relations," he said.

Senator Franklyn said it also allows the country to maintain multilateralism and form deeper relationships with developing countries, through countries like the United Kingdom and Australia, through interaction in the Commonwealth.

"The Commonwealth also provides a forum for countries such as Jamaica to lobby for the assistance of more developed countries in a context where liberalisation is the order of the day," he said.

Opposition Spokesman on Foreign Affairs, Karl Samuda, told The Gleaner that Jamaica's association with the Common-wealth is something positive for the country. He said the country can benefit from the exchange of ideas and technology.

"Each of us is willing to share the developments which takes place within their respective countries," he said. "I think it is very very valuable to us."

The country's relationship with Commonwealth has been mutually beneficial, with Jamaica receiving significant benefits from its association with most Commonwealth bodies, particularly through technical assistance under the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation (CFTC).

Assistance is usually offered in the form of personnel to perform advisory operational duties,volunteers, consultants and training opportunities.

Jamaica also receives assistance in the areas of education, economic management and economic policy advice, environmental protection, tourism, science and technology, agriculture, management reform and human resource development.

dionne.rose@gleanerjm.com