The Federation of St.
Kitts and Nevis and the Republic of Malta established diplomatic relations.
The Protocol on the Establishment of Diplomatic Relations was signed on Friday between St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L.
Douglas and the Prime Minister of Malta, the Hon. Lawrence Gonzi at the Radisson Hotel and Resort in Valletta, the Maltese capital, on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Conference.
"If we ever had doubts about the synergies to flow from this relationship our coming here and our favourable impressions of your vibrant and hospitable country have banished all doubts. We share much in common," said Prime Minister Douglas in a statement, pointing out that the commonalities extend from the distant past and contemporary existence.
Prime Minister Douglas noted that like the Republic of Malta, the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis was the victim of colonial strife and wars for hegemonic control by France and Britain.
"Like Malta, our British affinities run deep and pervade much of our cultural, political and economic life. As far as sovereignty goes and political independence is concerned, we (Malta and St. Kitts and Nevis) are both young countries which achieved independence in the latter half of the twentieth century, in September 1964 and September 1983, respectively. We are both members of the Commonwealth. We are multi-island states and both of us are doing relatively well measured by per capita GDP in our respective regions," said Dr. Douglas.
He said that the diplomatic engagements today, "would certainly strengthen existing bonds and build upon our commonalities to enrich and deepen cooperation."
Stating that the Commonwealth often describes itself as a family, Prime Minister Douglas said it is significant that on the occasion of the first CHOGM in Malta, "your country should reach out to other countries to establish and deepen the bonds of friendship."
Dr. Douglas said that as small island states, St. Kitts and Nevis and Malta will work together in all fora to advance the standing and influence of small island states in the Diaspora.
"We will work in the coming months to establish a programme of bilateral cooperation which will be mutually beneficial to all of us," the St. Kitts and Nevis leader said.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by St. Kitts and Nevis Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade, Industry and Commerce, Dr. the Hon.
Timothy Harris; St. Kitts and Nevis - High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, His Excellency Dr. James Williams; Malta's Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Michael Frendo and other high officials of the Government of Malta.
