21 July 2011

Antigua and Barbuda and Guadeloupe to Move Forward their Relations

*****

by Maurice Merchant 



BASSE-TERRE, Guadeloupe ­

France stands ready to support concrete strategic and focused development initiatives between Guadeloupe and Antigua and Barbuda.

(OTR Note: foreign relations of Guadeloupe, as an overseas department of France, are controlled by the French state with some degree of authority for regional economic affairs delegated to the elected government of the department ).

The assurances were made to Prime Minister, Dr. Hon. W. Baldwin Spencer during a courtesy call on His Excellency, Jean Fabre, Prefect of Guadeloupe.
Welcoming Prime Minister Spencer and his delegation to his office in Basse-Terre, Mr. Fabre said cooperation between Guadeloupe and Antigua and Barbuda could begin with healthcare, tourism and the agricultural sectors. He expressed a willingness to visit St. John¹s to assist in concretizing proposals to commence the enhanced cooperation.

In expressing appreciation for the warm welcome and the fact that Antigua and Barbuda has finally decided to embark upon this historic journey, Prime Minister Spencer who is visiting Guadeloupe for the first time, stressed the significance of the Agreement and St. John¹s desire to quickly operationalize the contents of the Accord.

Ambassador Dr. Clarence Henry and Mr. Jean Tibilan were identified as the persons designated by Prime Minister Spencer and Prefect Fabre to follow up on the their discussions.

The courtesy call on the Prefect was the first of several formal engagements for Prime Minister Spencer and his delegation that included a luncheon with the President of the Regional Council of Guadeloupe, the formal signing ceremony and an official dinner.

No comments: