/**
* This function is a singleton method used to instantiate the EEM_Country object
*
* @access public
* @return EEM_Country instance
*/
public static function instance()
{
// check if instance of EEM_Country already exists
if (self::$_instance === NULL) {
// instantiate Espresso_model
self::$_instance = new self();
}
// EEM_Country object
return self::$_instance;
}