Prime Minister Harris Holds Bilateral Talks With Italy’s New Ambassador to St. Kitts and Nevis

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, May 19, 2022 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – On Thursday, May 19, Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris held brief but productive bilateral discussions with His Excellency Fabrizio Nicoletti, the newly appointed Ambassador of Italy accredited to St. Kitts and Nevis.

During the courtesy call, which was held at the prime minister’s Government Headquarters office, Dr. Harris emphasized the fact that the Governments of St. Kitts and Nevis and Italy have enjoyed long-standing diplomatic relations.

The honourable Prime Minister used the occasion to express gratitude on behalf of the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis to Italy for its assistance in training and other areas of cooperation.

Ambassador Nicoletti advised the Prime Minister that his country remains committed to assisting St. Kitts and Nevis in its further development. He identified a number of areas for future collaboration between both nations, including the blue economy.

Prime Minister Harris responded by stating that the blue economy is a new frontier for the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and one in which his Government is fully invested.

He said, “The blue economy that you identified certainly is a pillar for us. With limited land space, we now have to rely more on our sea resources…to create a new frontier for the development and growth of our country.”

Additionally, the two officials discussed at length the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, and the negative fallout it continues to have on the global marketplace.

Prime Minister Harris stressed that small island states are being put at an even greater disadvantage as a result of this conflict, and as such urged larger nations, like Italy, to assist in easing the burden.

“As we think now of the challenge of food security and the challenge now of the impact of the war, not just on food but on everything, you could see where small island states like St. Kitts and Nevis are particularly vulnerable. It would be good as part of your bilateral cooperation…to consider to see what, in the area of food security, that you produce that you can make available to us. I think programmes like these as part of your international agenda will bring tremendous goodwill and support for Italy,” said Dr. Harris.

His Excellency Nicoletti, who is on a week-long visit to the Federation, presented his credentials to His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir S. W. Tapley Seaton on Tuesday, May 17 at Government House.