PRIME MINISTER HARRIS HOLDS SERIES OF BILATERAL TALKS AS PART OF DIPLOMATIC WEEK 2019

BASSETERRE, St. Kitts, April 08, 2019 (Press Unit in the Office of the Prime Minister) – Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, held several rounds of discussions with foreign diplomats who are in the Federation to participate in activities for Diplomatic Week 2019.

The 2019 Diplomatic Week, which runs from April 7-12, is observed under the theme “Securing a Resilient Future through Effective Diplomacy and Strategic Dialogue.”

Held every three years, Diplomatic Week provides an opportunity for the government to express its appreciation to its diplomatic and consular corps who represent and safeguard the interests of the twin island Federation at the highest levels locally and internationally. The week also provides an opportunity for the diplomats, consuls general and honorary consuls to engage in face-to-face diplomacy.

The prime minister’s busy schedule commenced with a visit by the High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa to St. Kitts and Nevis, Her Excellency Lumka Yengeni, who presented her Copy Letters of Credentials to Prime Minister Harris.

Dr. Harris then held important discussions with the United States Ambassador to Barbados and the OECS, Her Excellency Linda S. Taglialatela.

This was followed by courtesy calls by Ambassador of Israel, His Excellency Danny Biran; Ambassador of the Austrian Embassy in Cuba, His Excellency Stefan Weidinger; His Excellency Kaha Imnadze, Ambassador of Georgia; and His Excellency Nguyen Trung Thanh, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Dr. Harris stated, “Diplomatic week provides a good opportunity for us to re-engage the international community with respect to our vision for global peace and prosperity and the issues that are important to us.”

Prime Minister Harris was supported in the meetings by Cabinet Secretary Mrs. Josephine Huggins and Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister Mr. Andrew Skerritt.

Activities planned in observation of Diplomatic Week 2019 include an official opening ceremony on Tuesday, April 09, which will feature remarks by Prime Minister Harris and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, the Honourable Mark Brantley; presentation in schools; interface with the media; presentation of credentials by recently appointed ambassadors/high commissioners, a Governor General’s reception on Monday, April 08, and a public lecture on Tuesday evening at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort.

Diplomatic Week was first introduced in St. Kitts and Nevis in 2007 under the auspices of Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris who was at the time serving as Minister of Foreign Affairs (2001 – 2008).

The Team Unity Government resumed Diplomatic Week in April 2016 after a seven year hiatus.