PRIME MINISTER Bruce Golding says the countries of CARICOM should come together in order to tackle the effects of the global economic crisis.

Golding said the global crisis was putting enormous stress on countries around the world.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 12th meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations, at the Hilton Kingston hotel, on Friday, the prime minister said CARICOM was under severe pressure.

strength needed now

"If ever there was a time when we need the sense and the strength of the community, it is now," Golding said, adding that members of the community should resist the thought of breaking away "from the pack and trying to go it alone".

"None of us has the strength or the size to stop the world in order to get off or to prevent us from falling off. We are going to have to hold hands, particularly at this time, because together we might, together I think we can, and together I think we must."