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Minister of Housing, Agriculture, Fisheries and Consumer Affairs Honourable Cedric Liburd welcomed His Excellency Ambassador Designate of Japan Mr. Koichiro Seki |
Basseterre, St. Kitts, (June 16, 2006): Minister of Housing, Agriculture, Fisheries and Consumer Affairs Honourable Cedric Liburd welcomed His Excellency Ambassador Designate of Japan Mr. Koichiro Seki during a short meeting June 08, 2006.
Minister Liburd mentioned the good relations between the two countries and thanked Japan for their contribution to the Federation. Assistance locally and regionally included development of fisheries industries and disaster preparedness mechanisms as well as the construction of the CARICOM Secretariat in Guyana.
The Minister responsible for fisheries also mentioned the 58th International Whaling Commission (IWC) Meeting noting that St. Kitts and Nevis will have to rely more on marine resources considering that other sectors had to be strengthened due to the closure of the sugar industries. He said the Caribbean's presentation at the meeting will promote the concept of the sustainable use of whaling as an important ~~Adz:Right~~part of individuals' livelihoods. Minister Liburd stated that scientists have a special responsibility to ensure that their work is of the highest scientific standards and free from political and emotional influences.
He noted that the IWC Convention required that regulations related to the conservation of whales and the management of whaling be based on the best available scientific advice.
His Excellency Ambassador Seki noted that his duty is to continue to promote friendly relations between Japan and St. Kitts and Nevis and cited the visit of Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Timothy Harris in 2005 and that of Minister Liburd in 2006 as examples of the existing good relationship.
The Japanese Ambassador Designate also agreed with Minister Liburd pertaining to the Federation's stance on the whaling issue. He said the Japanese delegation thought that whaling should be based on scientific findings.
