St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas (l) and Colombia's Ambassador to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis His Excellency Dr. Kent Francis-James. (photo by Erasmus Williams)

Colombia’s new Ambassador to the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, His Excellency Dr. Kent Francis-James, presented his credentials to Governor General His Excellency Dr. Sir Cuthbert Sebastian after paying a courtesy calls on Minister of Tourism, Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Hon. Dwyer Astaphan and Minister of Health and Environment, Dr. the Hon. Earl Asim Martin.

In welcoming the new Colombian diplomat, Tuesday afternoon, Prime Minister Dr. the Hon. Denzil L. Douglas said the Republic of Colombia and the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis share the common aspiration of their peoples.

“We continue to collaborate with each other on hemispheric and international matters and we definitely look forward to continue that relationship now that the responsibility falls within your capable and firm hands,” said Prime Minister Douglas, who noted that the new Colombian diplomat is a lawyer by profession and that he will bring all of his expertise and training to ensure the St. Kitts and Nevis People and Government “at the end of your tour of duty would have said it was good to have Ambassador Kent Francis-James here with us.”

Ambassador Francis-James said he was honoured to be accepted and brought greetings from Colombian President, His Excellency Alvaro Uribe.

“President Uribe has dedicated his efforts, energy and all means working mostly in trying to bring full stability to Colombia. For a long time we have had problems of illegal and unlawful rebel groups involved in international crimes. We do think that even as we are struggling internally, we must learn to increase our relations with other friendly nations in order to have their cooperation and solidarity and to have friends to whom we could turn to,” said Francis-James.

He said Colombia will increase its bi-lateral agenda which would be beneficial to both nations and that international security is a matter of priority.

“Our Government is always ready, open to provide assistance on matters of intelligence that we need to share to conquer illegal drug activities that harm our countries and peoples as well as other nations in the Caribbean that are used for transshipment of illegal drugs,” said Dr. Francis-James, who added that Colombia has proposed a mechanism with the United States and Jamaica for the strengthening of control measures on illicit drug supply through the exchange of information.

Wednesday morning the Colombian diplomat will hold discussions with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Education, Dr. the Hon. Timothy Harris; Minister of Agriculture, Cooperatives, Fisheries, Lands and Housing, the Hon. Cedric Liburd; Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Her Excellency Myriam Troconiz Luzardo and General Manager of the St. Christopher Air and Sea Ports Authority, Mr. Donald Cable.

Dr. Francis-James will tour St. Kitts on Thursday before leaving on Friday for Kingston, Jamaica where he is based.

St. Kitts and Nevis currently trades in cement through an agreement between CARICOM and the Republic of Colombia.