NASSAU, Bahamas – Bahamas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Brent Symonette told members of the Diplomatic and Honorary Consular Corp that the ministry remains committed to continue enhancing ties of mutual benefit in the New Year.
He was addressing the Honorary Consular Corp Annual Christmas Luncheon held Wednesday, December 10, at the Wyndham Nassau Resort and Crystal Palace Casino on Cable Beach.
Hon. Brent Symonette
The end-of-year tradition adds to the cheer at this time between The Bahamas and countries the diplomats represent. It also provides an avenue to review and renew the basis of those relationships and for the minister to give an update on developments within the ministry.
Mr. Symonette welcomed the newest members of the Honorary Consular Corp, from Sierra Leone, Japan, Switzerland, Norway and San Marino.
He also announced that all oversees missions have been filled, in keeping with The Bahamas’ vision for and commitment to its participation with the international community.
They include:
Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Cornelius A. Smith
High Commissioner to the United Kingdom His Excellency Paul Farquharson
High Commissioner to Canada His Excellency Michael Smith
Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Her Excellency Elma Campbell
Consul General in New York Carl Smith
Consul General in Miami Gladys Johnson-Sands
Ambassador-Designate to Cuba His Excellency Vernon Burrows
Ambassador to Haiti and non-resident Ambassador to the Dominican Republic His Excellency Davy Rolle.
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Over the past 11 months the country was represented at a number of high level international meetings covering a wide range of issues, including climate change, food, energy, security, the UN Millennium Development Goals, combating hunger and poverty, and the global financial crisis.</p>
<p>The Bahamas hosted several meetings of importance, including the 19th CARICOM Intercessional Conference of Heads of Government, and the 13th Annual Conference of Presidents and Governors-General of the Community.</p>
<p>Mr. Symonette said the ministry is preparing stakeholders consultation in Freeport in advance of the country’s ratification of the Chemical Weapons Convention.</p>
<p>He also reported that the signing by CARIFORUM and the European Commission of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) signalled the start of a new trade relationship between CARICOM, the Dominican Republic, and the European Commission.</p>
<p>”This should provide an incentive for increased trade between The Bahamas and members of the European Union,” he said.</p>
<p>On September 26, 2008, the Prime Minister lodged The Bahamas’ Instruments of Ratification to the UN Convention on Transnational Organised Crime and its Protocols against smuggling of migrants, trafficking in persons, and manufacturing and proliferation of small arms, ammunition and light weapons.</p>
<p>The Bahamas also became party to a number of anti-terrorism treaties, deemed important in the fight against global terrorism.</p>
<p>And on November 26, 2008, The Bahamas signed a new component of the bilateral co-operation with Haiti. This Memorandum of Understanding provides for the abolition of visa requirements for diplomatic and official passport holders, to facilitate the coming together of officials for important meetings in the region. There are also ongoing negotiations with Cuba.</p>
<p>In an effort to expand relationship to the North, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is set to open a new Consulate General in Atlanta, Georgia, to address new interests of consequence, Mr. Symonette said.</p>
<p>In the area of free trade, he said negotiations are continuing between CARICOM and Canada, and The Bahamas is continuing efforts to become a full member of the World Trade Organisation. </p>
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