OECS Secretariat, Castries, St. Lucia, October 14^th, 2010. The United Kingdom and the OECS established relations at the Diplomatic level on Thursday October 13^th 2010.

OECS Director General Dr. Len Ishmael accepted Letters of Introduction from the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, His Excellency Mr. Paul Brummel, at a ceremony at the OECS Secretariat. The formalization of diplomatic relations between the OECS and the UK will enhance a long standing relationship built on historical and cultural linkages, and allow both sides to maximize opportunities for economic and development cooperation.

According to the Director General, the occasion marked: “the beginning of a new and potentially exciting chapter in the long and enduring relationship between the United Kingdom and its friends and former colonies in the Eastern Caribbean.” She noted that: “the strengthening of relations between the UK and the OECS at the regional level holds the promise of much which is positive, and good.” She saw it as an opportunity for both sides to “build upon a long and solid friendship, to build consensus on some of the most important global issues of our times, such as Climate Change…, and to explore new areas of cooperation.” She called upon the UK “as a respected member of the international community”, to be an advocate for the OECS in the various world theatres, and there to mobilize support for the group in its efforts at sustainable development.

For his part, the Permanent Representative of the United Kingdom to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States considered himself most honoured to have been appointed his country’s first Permanent Representative to the Organisation.

He assured the Director General that, the United Kingdom supported the core objective of the OECS to promote cooperation among its membership. According to Mr. Brummell, “the United Kingdom welcomes the goal of the membership of the Organisation to deepen their cooperation through an OECS economic union.  For the small islands which make up the OECS, working together helps generate both economies of scale and provides mutual support in a tough global economic environment.”

He also gave the assurance that the United Kingdom was cognizant of the challenges faced by the Member States of the OECS, and that it would enhance its collaboration with the OECS to address current global concerns. He cited in particular, the ongoing collaboration of the UK with the countries of the Eastern Caribbean in respect of national security, and reiterated the commitment of the United Kingdom to assist the countries of the Eastern Caribbean in this regard.

In closing, the two sides reaffirmed the importance of the enhancement of OECS-UK relations in a complex, interdependent world, and noted that today’s occasion was a milestone in the history of their friendship. The two sides underlined the huge potential for OECS-UK cooperation, and pledged to work energetically to enhance that cooperation in the interest of their respective peoples.

The United Kingdom is the seventh country to establish relations at the diplomatic level with the OECS, following Spain, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, Finland and France.

Contact:  Office of the Director General 1-758-455OECS