BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – PRIME MINISTER of St. Kitts and Nevis Dr. the Hon. Timothy said that the Team Unity Government would soon be opening an Embassy in Canada.
He was at the time a guest on Michael Powell’s talk show programme ‘People’s Voice’ aired this morning (Jul. 22) on Sugar City Rock .
Asked about his Administration’s achievements for the first 100 days in office, Dr. Harris spoke to, among other things, the EC$16M gotten from the Venezuelan Government for the former sugar workers and the EC$10M provided to the Nevis Island Administration.
He also spoke to the establishment of an embassy in Canada and outreaches to the US, British Government and the European Union.
“We are committed as a Government, as we said in opposition, to make Canada a foreign affairs priority, and I am pleased to report that within a matter of weeks we shall have installed a High Commissioner in Ottawa, Canada.
“For the first time St. Kitts and Nevis, on its own, will be opening an Embassy in Ottawa, Canada, intending to interact steadfastly with the Government of Canada to ensure over time we can give them the comfort level that the circumstances of the past Administration that led to their revoking our visa-free access to Canada that those circumstances no longer hold, and that the good people of St. Kitts and Nevis deserve the freedom of being able to buy a ticket any day, any hour and go to Canada, so long there is a flight, without any further inhibitions.”
PM Harris referred to the time when the visa-free access to that country was revoked and insinuated that the impediment would be overcome.
“At the same time when Canada was revoking our visa-free access, it was giving it to another country. So we know that we can in fact overcome this challenge and we have invested considerable time and resources in keeping the Government of Canada up to date. And we are expecting in the end to get some results during the five-year tenure that we have.”
Speaking to the relationship between the Federation and the US, Dr. Harris said the Team Unity Government had started a higher and a better level of cooperation with the Government of that North American country, which resulted in some of its representatives paying regular visits to St. Kitts and Nevis for consultation with his Administration.
“Even as we speak,” he added, “this week there are a number of training courses going on for law enforcement officers and we are happy to receive the support from the US Government in that regard.”
The Prime Minister declared that there has been a resetting of the Federation’s international relations.
“The foreign affairs, our international relations are being reset so that people can have the confidence in a new government that comes to the public clean; that comes to the Government through the public and to the international community committed to good governance; and to do the right thing, committed to ensure that the reputation of St. Kitts and Nevis is cherished; and as we will work on beyond a daily basis.”
He noted that while in London some two weeks ago, he and his contingent were able to interact with a large number of persons from the business community; some of whom were doing business with St. Kitts and Nevis already and others who expressed interest in participating.
“We welcome foreign direct investment because it provides opportunities and resources for the further expansion, growth, employment generation and indeed new exciting opportunities for all of our people,” he said.
