Foreign Affairs Minister seeks out new opportunities for Antigua and Barbuda’s social and economic development

Antigua and Barbuda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Hon EP Chet Greene, is leading a series of engagements at the United Nations this week to ensure that the country reaps maximum benefits from its diplomatic ties with countries around the world.

Over the past two days since his arrival in New York for the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Minister Greene has been busy with a number of bilateral meetings with his counterparts from around the world.

Yesterday, he met with the Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Dr. Ian Borg, of Malta, an island nation in southern Europe boasting a well-developed economy, to discuss matters of mutual interest between their two countries.

Minister Greene expressed his profound gratitude to Dr. Borg for his country’s support of Antigua and Barbuda and Prime Minister Browne in adopting the Multi-Dimensional Vulnerability Index (MVI) at the United Nations.

Dr. Borg praised Antigua and Barbuda for hosting a successful SIDS4 Conference and indicated strong interest in supporting his country’s establishment of the Centre of Excellence, a major outcome outlined in the Antigua and Barbuda Agenda for SIDS (ABAS).

Yesterday, Minister Greene also signed documents establishing diplomatic relations with Seychelles, whose economic wealth comes from the tourism industry, similar to Antigua and Barbuda.

The signing ceremony was conducted with his counterpart Foreign Minister of the Seychelles,His Excellency Sylvestre Radegonde.

Minister Greene believes their shared economic aspirations is a welcome opportunity for Antigua and Barbuda to earn major benefits in achieving further growth in the sector.

During the opening day of the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly today, Minister Greene held bilateral discussions with the Foreign Affairs Minister of Rwanda, His Excellency Olivier Nduhungirehe.

Both officials committed to building on the strong ties between their two countries.

Minister Greene also sought the country’s support and collaboration in improving Antigua and Barbuda’s community health care services and stemming the rise in youth violence. He also expressed the country’s interest in establishing mutual visa exemption agreements to allow for seamless travel between Rwanda and Antigua and Barbuda.

Minister Greene continues the week with several other high-level engagements as Antigua and Barbuda participate in the most significant diplomatic event on the United Nations calendar.