Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 05, 2016 (SKNIS): Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, encouraged officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) and Aviation to consider making Diplomatic Week a “permanent fixture of the Government’s new architecture for engaging with diplomats at home and abroad, as well as with those from partner countries accredited to the Federation.”
“My friends, forging and maintaining diplomatic relations are integral to this government’s commitment to people-empowerment and to fulfilling our prosperity agenda,” said Prime Minister Harris. “Diplomatic Week is a reflection of that intention by building strategic partnerships and strengthening networks critical to ensuring sustainable growth and economic development.”
In his featured address, Prime Minister Harris congratulated and thanked the diplomats for their continued vigilance and hard work in advancing the priorities of the government and in promoting the country’s national interests.
“No doubt, you now understand that your appointments are a call to dedicated and effective service in the development of this nation,” said Prime Minister Harris. “And that at this stage of our development, your expertise, experience and unswerving commitment are required to advance the national good and to make sure that our citizens’ expectations are met.”
Dr. Harris said that diplomats should use Diplomatic Week’s activities as a pathway to greater things.
“Additionally, I believe that at the basis of the hosting of the Diplomatic Week is the desire for us to use the week of activities to open a window onto the role of diplomats, to cast a brighter light on the work that you do and to allow for a better understanding at all levels of our society of what you do and how what you do impacts on the daily lives of people in St. Kitts and Nevis,” said Dr. Harris. “In ensuring that our partners are here to celebrate with us, we wanted to use the opportunity for our citizens in the Federation to get a clearer understanding as well of how our diplomatic relations and partnerships advance their lives.”
Dr. Harris stated that “our increasing interconnected world and the interrelationship of issues demand networking, partnership and agility”. He commended the business community for coming onboard and lending its support to MOFA and ensuring the success of Diplomatic Week 2016.