By MyVue News.com Staff Reporter
Basseterre, Wednesday, 20th September, 2023, (MyVue News.com)-One day before the celebrations of 40 years of independence for St.Kitts & Nevis, the oldest diplomatic “friend” of the country an agreement with their counterparts in Basseterre, that should help lift the standards and enhanced the practice of diplomacy for staffers in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The “Agreement on Diplomatic Staff Training Cooperation” between the two nations will provide training for diplomats from St. Kitts and Nevis and Taiwan.
It was signed between the Foreign Minister of the Republic of China (Taiwan), H.E. Jaushieh Joseph Wu, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs for St. Kitts & Nevis, Dr. Denzil Douglas, on Monday, September 18, 2023, at a ceremony held at the St. Kitts Marriott Hotel, Frigate Bay.
Wu was in St. Kitts & Nevis to show solidarity as the country marked 4 decades since attaining independence on 19th September, 2023.
Those diplomatic relations, which were formally established three days after Independence Day, did not come without criticism from European powers, especially the British, who chided the founding prime minister, Dr. Kennedy Simmonds, for establishing ties, even before taking his small 104 sq mile country into the ultimate stage of nationhood.
However, 40 years later, that bold move has resulted in a positive and very productive partnership that has seen St. Kitts and Nevis being a champion on the international stage to promote acceptance of Taiwan into the United Nations and other world bodies. But St. Kitts and Nevis have benefitted from tremendous social infrastructural and economic support from Taipei.
Successive administrations have maintained close ties, which continue today under current prime minister Dr. Terrence Drew. Delivering brief remarks on the occasion, Prime Drew said this agreement is another benefit of the strong friendship shared between St. Kitts and Nevis and Taiwan.
Drew stated, “The collaboration between both countries [since 1983] has resulted in the improvement of both countries. We have shared values; shared values which we espouse at the level of the United Nations in support of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and we will always support your participation in international fora.”
Foreign Minister Wu stated, “The agreement we have signed demonstrates our joint commitment to nurturing skilled and well-rounded diplomats. It also highlights the range of our bilateral cooperation. Capacity building is essential for island nations like ours.”
“Taiwan is pleased to be a steadfast friend and active supporter of your country’s development,” added Wu.
“Taiwan believes in the importance of sustainable development and is committed to continuing to support the people of St. Kitts and Nevis. Our two countries have cultivated a strong and enduring bond over the past 40 years. Through our efforts, I am confident that our shared commitment to freedom, democracy, and prosperity will continue to guide us as we work toward a brighter and more sustainable future for both our peoples,” Foreign Minister Wu added.
St. Kitts & Nevis Minister of Foreign Affairs, and former Prime Minister, Dr. Denzil Douglas said the agreement offers an excellent opportunity to expand educational training cooperation between the two countries in the field of diplomacy. “This is significant firstly, given the demand for highly skilled diplomats in this rapidly evolving geo-political environment, and secondly, the value of international relations and public service to both Basseterre and Taipei. This new initiative will add avenues for further working together even as we continue to advance our Federation into a Sustainable Island State,” Dr. Douglas said.
Douglas said that he hoped that through this new bilateral agreement, the partnership between the countries and their ministries will continue to grow and flourish and his staff looks forward to working with Wu on the implementation of this new joint venture.