Marrakech, Morocco – In what is proving to be an intensely productive trip to the Atlantic Dialogues, Foreign Affairs Minister Hon. Mark Brantley took the opportunity to strengthen relations with traditional allies while exploring the opportunities for new ones.
Minister Brantley engaged Christian Leffer, the Deputy Secretary General of the European External Action Service – the EU`s diplomatic arm – to discuss the general relationship with the EU, including pursuing open dialogue on tax-related matters in the context of the OECD`s Global Forum. The Minister and the senior diplomat from the EU pledged to remain in contact to ensure mutual trust and confidence is built and sustained in all areas of bilateral and bi-regional cooperation.
Taking advantage of his presence on the African continent, Mr Brantley also engaged the former Prime Minister and current Presidential envoy from Senegal, Dr. Aminata Touré. The two senior officials spoke of the need to deepen relations and cooperate bilaterally as well as in the context of multilateral affairs. With a consensus forming around Africa`s rise in the global economy, the Minister felt it was strategically important to seek out African leaders to discuss areas for cooperation and partnership. The Minister also took the opportunity to share a brief chat with the former President of Nigeria, Mr Olusegun Abasanjo – a highly regarded African statesman. With Nigeria`s economy now considered the largest in Africa, it is a relationship that the Ministry is hoping to strengthen.
Additionally, the Minister seized the opportunity to interact with the Minister of Finance of Brasil, Honourable Joaquim Levy. Brasil and St; Kitts and Nevis are close allies and the meeting presented a unique chance to build rapport in an effort to further deepen bilateral ties.
Foreign Minister Brantley will round out his Moroccan trip with a gala dinner where he will join colleague Ministers and other high level officials courtesy of the OCP Policy Center and the German Marshall Fund.