Celebrating Saint Lucia’s Independence, OAS Secretary General hails Country’s “Stable” Democracy

CASTRIES, St. Lucia – “Saint Lucia feels like a much older society than its twenty-nine years. Its democracy is stable, its institutions are strong and its people are prospering,” Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary General José Miguel Insulza declared today, as he marked the Caribbean nation’s 29th anniversary of independence as special guest of Prime Minister Stephenson King.

“The people of St. Lucia should be very proud of what they have achieved and hopeful about the future,” Secretary General Insulza added. “Of course, the upcoming 30th Anniversary is a good opportunity for this country, along with others in the Eastern Caribbean, to reflect on the challenges facing the Caribbean region, which includes meeting the expectations of the young people, mitigating and responding to natural disasters, addressing the scourge of crime and violence and alleviating poverty.”

While in Saint Lucia, Insulza had the opportunity to meet and interact with the Prime Minister and members of his administration, as well as with Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy and leader of the Opposition, Dr. Kenny Anthony.

In those meetings the parties discussed ongoing cooperation between Saint Lucia and the OAS in areas of sustainable development, poverty alleviation, governance and security. The Secretary General also briefed the government on progress in the planning for the upcoming Summit of the Americas in Trinidad & Tobago (2009) and for the 38the regular session of the OAS General Assembly, to be held in Medellin, Colombia, next June.

Insulza also toured Saint Lucia, where he was given a first-hand look at some of the projects that the OAS has funded in over the years.