It is Government???s responsibility to make Barbados as congenial a place for the discharge of diplomatic duties as it can, and it is a responsibility which is taken seriously.
This is according to Prime Minister Freundel Stuart, as he addressed his first Breakfast Meeting for Heads of Diplomatic Missions at his official residence, Ilaro Court, on Wednesday, November 6.
Citing, as an example the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in facilitating the use of the Grace Adams Suite at the Airport by members of the Diplomatic Corps, the Prime Minister reiterated that the basic philosophy of Barbados??? foreign policy continues to be ???friends of all and satellites of none???.
Mr. Stuart took the opportunity to extend special thanks to outgoing High Commissioner, Paul Brummell of the United Kingdom and Ambassador Xu Hong of China, for the quality of service and work done in deepening relations between Barbados and their respective countries.
In response, both High Commissioner Brummell and Ambassador Xu noted that it was an honour and pleasure for them to have served in Barbados. They expressed their gratitude to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and the several government agencies which would have facilitated their work here. Senator the Honourable Maxine McClean, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, presented gifts of appreciation to the two departing diplomats.
The Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, His Excellency Appio Acquarone, Ambassador of Brazil, expressed delight on behalf of the Corps at having been invited to have breakfast with the Prime Minister. He noted that he would always carry wonderful memories of living in Barbados and described the moment as a signal one in his tour of duty.
Also present at the Breakfast meeting were: Their Excellencies Ambassador of Cuba, Lissette Perez Perez; Ambassador of Venezuela, Jose Febres; Ambassador of the United States, Larry Palmer; Charge d??? Affaires of the Canadian High Commission, Louise Clement; Representative of the European Union Delegation, Marc Thill; Dr. Ernest Pate of the Pan American Health Organisation, who represented the United Nations entities; and Representative of the Organisation of American States, Francis McBarnette.
ian.inniss@barbados.gov.bb