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Prime Minister Freundel Stuart (right) is pictured as he accepted the Letters of Appointment from Jamaica’s newly appointed?? High Commissioner to Barbados, Sharon Saunders, during a courtesy call at Ilaro Court yesterday. (A. Miller/BGIS) |
The already strong ties that exist between Barbados and Jamaica will be strengthened.
This assurance was given by Prime Minister Freundel Stuart as he welcomed that country’s newest envoy to Barbados, High Commissioner Sharon Saunders, during a courtesy call yesterday.
Prime Minister Stuart told the High Commissioner that diplomatic relations between the two nations had always been "solid over the years", and said that he was looking forward to continuing the "close and productive" friendship.
He also congratulated Jamaica on attaining 50 years of Independence this year, and for the stellar performance of its athletes at the Olympics. However, Mr. Stuart expressed sadness at the scale of the damage that had resulted due to the recent passage of Hurricane Sandy.
In turn, Mrs. Saunders said that it was an honour to represent her country in such a capacity and noted that a strong, cordial relationship had always existed between the two allies, and expressed the hope that she could be a "catalyst" to enhance the ties. However, she emphasised that there was still "so much more that we can do" to further improve the relations and pointed out that Barbados was one of Jamaica’s most important CARICOM partners. Mrs. Saunders further added that there was scope for the two nations to continue working together on a number of areas of mutual interest.
Matters relating to CARICOM, trade, regional integration, and ways to better enhance the quality of life of the people of the region, were also discussed during the meeting.
Barbados and Jamaica established diplomatic relations on November 30, 1966.