Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sen. Maxine McClean and Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic, Carlos Morales Troncoso.
Barbados’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Senator Maxine McClean, and her Dominican Republic counterpart, Carlos Morales Troncoso, discussed bilateral cooperation between the two nations, with a view to identifying ways and means of deepening that friendship, during a meeting on September 25.
The Foreign Affairs Ministers underlined the amicable and cordial nature of the diplomatic ties, which were established formally in 1972, and the need to further foster cooperative and productive relations. They noted with satisfaction the close collaboration the two states enjoyed within such fora as the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), CARIFORUM and the Association of Caribbean States. The two officials also indicated that the CARICOM-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement provided an important framework for the enhancement of trade and economic relations.
The Ministers agreed relations could be further enhanced by the conclusion of a bilateral cooperation agreement between the two countries, as soon as possible.?? The objective of the agreement would be to facilitate joint action in mutually-agreed areas of priority and interest.??
Among the areas identified were culture, education and training, trade and investment. The Ministers agreed to meet again at the earliest opportunity to review the progress made towards the conclusion of the bilateral agreement.