St. Kitts-Nevis and Colombia Strengthen Relations
(ZIZ News) – On Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted government officials from the Republic of Colombia for discussions on advancing the agenda of cooperation, trade and investment between both nations.
During the meeting at Government Headquarters, the Republic of Colombia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Madam Patti Londono Jaramillo gave her country’s commitment to continuing programmes of mutual benefit.
“We have a very close coordination, we cooperate a lot, we know each other very well and in the last few years, we have managed to also have very concrete cooperation programmes and we can always learn from you,” she said, adding that “The few things we can share, you can also get experiences from us in different levels.”
Madam Londono reiterated her country’s support of St. Kitts-Nevis saying “we are very committed…we want our programmes to continue especially next year.”
St. Kitts and Nevis’ Senior Foreign Service Officer, Nerys Dockery, said there are many areas in which the federation can benefit from a deepened partnership with Colombia noting that “Colombia is in the process of expanding its trade, investment and economic links as well as raising its national profile.”
Making reference to the country’s “ascension to join the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development or the OECD and its overture to do the same with the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Organisation,” Dockery offered words of congratulations.
She said, “It is our hope that as you join these organisations, that the agenda that St. Kitts and Nevis represents in terms of the SIDS (Small Island Developing States) Agenda, you will be a definite friend and partner and ally in promoting our interests within these organisations.”
While speaking of how St. Kitts and Nevis can draw from Colombia’s experience, Dockery said, “There is lots of scope for cooperation on political matters as it relates to some of the current challenges that we commonly face and that can only be addressed together such as Climate Change, promoting the Post 2015 Development Goals and Agenda – the 2030 Agenda.”
Also present at the meeting were Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Charleton Edwards, Senior Environmental Officer June Hughes and Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Carlene Henry-Morton.