BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – St. Kitts and Nevis has congratulated two sister CARICOM member states – Barbados and Suriname – on their respective independence anniversaries.
Prime Minister The Right Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas in his message to his Barbados counterpart, the Hon. Freundel Stuart on that country’s 45 years of nationhood said Barbados and St. Kitts and Nevis have enjoyed an excellent relationship built on mutual respect and trust.
“In our numerous deliberations to advance the region’s development and in advocating our cause in international fora, the solidarity and resolve as fellow Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have remained strong and vibrant,” said Dr. Douglas.
He noted Barbados continues to enjoy a high ranking in international reports measuring human development, remains a favoured Caribbean tourist destination and has contributed, in no small measure through the production of several West Indian cricketing icons to the region’s emergence as a highly regarded force in international cricket.
“These in addition to being host to one of the Campuses of the University of the West Indies (UWI), renowned as a leader in first class tertiary education have positioned Barbados as a small island developing State which continues to play a vital leadership role as a beacon of hope for countries such as St Kitts and Nevis to emulate. For all these reasons, Barbados has made the region proud and in forty five years has amassed an unenviable long list of achievements,” said the St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister.
Congratulating Suriname on its 36 years of political independence, Prime Minister Douglas noted that Suriname and the sister nations of the region continue to pursue a firm friendship based on a long established relationship which has brought significant benefits to the English speaking Caribbean.
“Your country has demonstrated a commitment to fulfil its role as a significant team player in the regional integration movement and I anticipate your resolute support as we advance our progressive agenda to engender meaningful development in our beloved countries. Our two nations have enjoyed a close relationship based on our shared values of democracy and a desire to pursue sustainable development intended to empower our people to achieve their true potential,” said the St. Kitts and Nevis leader to President of Suriname, His Excellency Desi Bouterse.
Dr. Douglas, the current Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) said: “Given the current economic and social challenges, it is opportune on the occasion of your nation’s commemoration of its 36th year of political Independence to further cement our bonds of friendship and cooperation.”
“Being cognizant of our shared objective, it was only a few months ago, your Government appointed a national of St. Kitts and Nevis to serve as its Honorary Consul to our Federation – an appointment which my Government welcomed and which the Cabinet has subsequently approved. We are confident that such an appointment will assist in promoting increased economic and cultural development, thereby maintaining and deepening our friendship,” Dr. Douglas told President Bouterse, who take over the CARICOM Chairmanship on January 1st 2012.
