Minister Asim Martin ends visit to Israel and West Bank

St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Public Works, Utilities and Energy.

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, SEPTEMBER 13TH 2011 (CUOPM) – The Honourable Dr Asim Martin has described as “quite successful and instructive” his official visit to Israel.

Dr. Martin, who led a three-person delegation to strengthen relations and build partnership between St. Kitts and Nevis and Israel, participated in high-level discussions with President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Liberman.

Minister Martin praised and thanked the Israeli senior officials for their productive and ongoing programs of support to St. Kitts and Nevis in the areas of agriculture and security.

In order to get a better understanding of Israel’s social and economic strengths, “which can be adapted to serve the needs of St. Kitts and Nevis,” Minister Martin and his team visited model agricultural and livestock farms in northern Israel and held discussions with experts with the aim of deepening future partnership between Israel and St. Kitts and Nevis.

Dr. Martin also discussed the issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and expressed confidence that the upcoming vote at the United Nations would be able to balance the aspirations of the Palestinian people for self-determination with Israel’s right to exist in peace with security; and stressed the need for face-to face dialogue and a negotiated settlement between the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority.

Members of the St. Kitts and Nevis delegation (right) – Dr. Norgen Wilson, Advisor in the Ministry of Homeland Security (right); Minister of Public Works, Utilities and Energy, Hon. Dr. Earl Asim Martin (4th from left) and next to him, St. Kitts and Nevis’ High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Kevin Isaac meet with a delegation led by the Prime Minister of Israel His Excellency Benjamin Netanyahu.

Dr. Martin also traveled to Ramallah on the West Bank where he took part in talks with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister, Salam Fayyad.

During the demanding schedule, Dr Martin paid a brief visit to the Jerusalem Hadassah University Hospital Public Health Department where he discussed public health issues; the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum, which he said “affected him deeply”, and toured the City of Jerusalem.

Minister Martin was accompanied by St. Kitts and Nevis High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Mr. Kevin Isaac; and Dr. Norgen Wilson, Advisor in the Ministry of Homeland Security.