Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean in discussion with Venezuela’s Charge d’ Affaires, Francisco Perez, during a recent farewell call at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (C.Pitt/BGIS)

Venezuela’s Charge d’ Affaires, Francisco Perez, paid a farewell call recently on Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Maxine McClean, and the two officials discussed the achievement of enhanced bilateral relations.

During the call at the Ministry, the envoy thanked Senator McClean and the staff of the Ministry for the assistance rendered to the Embassy during his three-year tenure and added: “I have nothing to complain about while in Barbados and I hope that in my new posting that we can still collaborate. I really did my best to represent Venezuela. It has been four decades of collaboration between Barbados and Venezuela and I am certain that the long-standing friendship will continue.”

Mr. Perez also expressed optimism that talks on the finalisation of an Air Services Agreement that would see a direct service out of Caracas to Bridgetown would be resumed.

In turn, the Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that there were excellent initiatives between the two countries, such as the Spanish programme offered through the Venezuelan Institute.

She proffered the view that the acquisition of a second language was crucial to breaking down language barriers and was pleased that the Spanish programme would continue. Senator McClean also expressed optimism of an expansion of the Spanish programme currently taught in primary schools.

julie.carrington@barbados.gov.bb

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