NASSAU, The Bahamas – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon Brent Symonette met with a number of diplomats on Wednesday as the Government moves to foster greater ties with Asian and Mediterranean countries.
At the Diplomatic Room of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on East Hill Street, Mr. Symonette welcomed High Commissioner Designate of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Prasad Kariyawasam; the Hon Michael Frendo, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malta; Honorary Consul of the Republic of India, Ashish Saraf; and His Excellency Tae-Sik Lee, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea.
Discussions focused on establishing new ties and strengthening existing ones between The Bahamas and the various countries.
Mr. Symonette was concerned about Sri Lanka’s recovery after the devastating tsunami on December 26, 2004, which killed about 40,000 people and destroyed some 80,000 homes.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Brent Symonette, right, greets Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Malta the Hon. Michael Frendo during a courtesy call in the Diplomatic Room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, September 5, 2007.
(BIS Photo/Tim Aylen)
Mr. Kariyawasam thanked The Government for its assistance rendered in the aftermath of the monster tidal wave. He also noted that those displaced residents have gone back to their original villages and rebuilt their lives.
He said that Sri Lanka, like Japan, has installed an early warning system equipment to alert the country in the event of another tsunami. He said this would give residents time to evacuate.
The High Commissioner Designate said Sri Lankans once thought of the sea as “a friend”, but after the tsunami were afraid to fish, which was a way of life for many. He said that the government is making strides gradually and the economy is bouncing back.
Mr. Symonette noted that The Bahamas has modern equipment — a Doppler radar system that can track a hurricane from inception and local meteorologists can advise Bahamians to safety.
Sri Lanka is one of the oldest democracies in Asia since gaining its independence on February 4, 1948. The Bahamas established diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka on July 19, 2005. High Commissioner Kariyawasam will present his Letters of Commission to His Excellency the Hon Arthur Hanna, Governor-General, in a ceremony at Government House on Thursday, September 6.
With regards to Malta, which has some similarities with The Bahamas as a country surrounded by water, Mr. Symonette pledged the country’s commitment to fostering closer ties, with particular regard to the issuance of travel visas.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs the Hon. Brent Symonette, right, and Ambassador of the Republic of Korea His Excellency Tae-Sik Lee, pose for an official photograph during a courtesy call in the Diplomatic Room at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, September 5, 2007.
(BIS Photo/Tim Aylen)
India, a country very rich in natural resources, also spoke about challenges regarding visas for Indians to travel to The Bahamas. Honorary Consul Saraf also noted that India, with its almost two billion people, would like to learn about The Bahamas’ successful tourism product.
The Korean Ambassador Tae-Sik Lee congratulated Mr. Symonette on his election to office and solicited The Bahamas’ support for its election to the Bureau of International Exhibition (BIE), the world’s largest cultural and economic display or art, design, trade and relations.
Deputy Prime Minister Symonette said the Government would assist in any way, particularly as it relates to fostering closer ties with Korea.
