Turkey and St. Kitts and Nevis hold talks in Istanbul
Basseterre, St. Kitts (CUOPM) — St. Kitts and Nevis and Turkey have discussed ways in which the two countries can strengthen their bi-lateral relations.
St. Kitts and Nevis’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Patrice Nisbett held a bilateral meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister, investors and businessmen, within the margins of the First CARICOM-Turkey Consultation and Cooperation Meeting, in the Turkish capital, Istanbul.
Minister Nisbett, in his meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister, His Excellency Ahmet Davutoğlu, used the opportunity to discuss the various modes by which the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis can further deepen their relationship through closer partnership and collaboration.
Minister Nisbett took the opportunity to thank the Turkish Foreign Minister for Turkey’s allocation to St. Kitts and Nevis as part of its voluntary contribution to the Caribbean Development Fund that is managed by the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank, as well as its provision of a water truck to assist in the effective delivery of water services to the people of the Federation. The water truck, valued US$118,000 is due to arrive in the Federation on 16th August 2014.
He also mentioned other areas of cooperation which includes the signing of the Agreement between St. Kitts and Nevis and Turkey on the Mutual Exemption of Visas on 19thApril 2012, which allows citizens of both countries to enter into either country visa-free.
St. Kitts and Nevis is also in the process of reviewing a Draft Air Services Agreement with Turkey that would grant reciprocal rights to both contracting parties for the conduct of scheduled international air services by the designated routes and airlines outlined in the Agreement.
While in Turkey, Minister Nisbett continued a hectic round of engagements with representatives from the Chamber of Commerce in Turkey to discuss the ways and means whereby Turkish small and medium enterprises can invest in St. Kitts and Nevis, particularly in its tourism plant.
He was also expected to follow up on discussions with a number of investors whose interest and commitment were aroused when Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas, accompanied by the Federation’s High Commissioner to London, His Excellency Dr. Kevin Isaac and local and foreign developers and agents visited Switzerland, Turkey and Erbil, as the guest of the Prime Minister and the Cabinet of the Kurdistan Regional Government in early June.