?? |
| Prime Minister, Freundel Stuart, greets US Ambassador, Larry Palmer, today at a courtesy call at Ilaro Court. (A.Miller/BGIS)?? |
Barbados and the United States have pledged to strengthen the already good relations that exist between the two countries. Prime Minister Freundel Stuart and the new US Ambassador to this country, Larry Palmer, gave this assurance today during their first official meeting which took place at Ilaro Court.
Ambassador Palmer, who is also accredited to the Eastern Caribbean, recently took up his posting here.
Mr. Stuart said that there were strong historical ties between the two states noting, that "over the years, the relationship has gotten stronger particularly because we have a large diaspora there, and there are many links based on our common history. In fact, the Constitution of the United States of America reflects ideals that we settled here in Barbados back in 1652."????????
??In turn, Ambassador Palmer mentioned the need to foster a closer working relationship with the Barbadian diaspora and he alluded to the development of a programme which would provide scholarships within the diaspora as one way to achieve this.
He also mentioned the work of the Regional Security System (RSS) in protecting the region’s coastlines from narco-traffickers. "We are very pleased with the cooperation that we [United States] get from the RSS.?? They are highly respected in Washington," Mr. Palmer stressed.
They also discussed the benefits of implementing renewable energy sources and the ongoing economic crisis and its impact on the United States and the region.
Ambassador Palmer revealed that he previously visited Barbados in 1997 with then President Bill Clinton for the Caribbean/USA Summit. ??????????????????????
Barbados and the US established diplomatic ties on November 30, 1967.