(Castries, May 08, 2012) Tuesday May 8^th 2012 marked another special occasion at the OECS Secretariat where His Excellency Joaquim Augusto Whitaker Salles, presented his credentials to Dr. Len Ishmael, Director General of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, and became the second Ambassador/Resident Representative of the Federative Republic of Brazil to the OECS. 

Ambassador Whitaker Salles was preceded by H.E. João Batista Cruz who ended his tour of duty earlier this year.

During the ceremony which involved officials of the Secretariat and members of the Diplomatic Corps, both representatives exchanged remarks regarding the significance and import of the special relationship being forged between Brazil and the OECS.  According to the Director General in her remarks: “…relations between Brazil and the OECS and indeed the wider Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have been improving over the years, at the hemispheric, regional and bilateral levels, and the many initiatives that have been undertaken thus far signal Brazil’s strong commitment to strengthening the bonds of cooperation and fostering closer ties with the countries of the region.” 

The Director General also took the opportunity to enunciate the various cooperation initiatives currently ongoing between Brazil and the OECS, noting with satisfaction and gratitude Brazil’s generosity as a major partner in the regionally administered antiretroviral programme that provides these medicines to over 700 persons living with HIV/AIDS across the region. 

Dr. Ishmael thanked the Government of Brazil for this demonstration of its commitment and goodwill and commended its role in the region’s fight to decrease the mortality and morbidity rate of persons living with HIV/AIDS.  She specifically expressed her gratitude on behalf of the governments and peoples of region to the Brazillian authorities for agreeing to extend this Cooperation Agreement over another two years in order to allow for uninterrupted supply of ARVs to patients until 2013. 

Mention was also made of the collaboration between the OECS Secretariat and the Rio Branco Institute of the Ministry of External Relations of Brazil and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Training of Diplomats that commits both parties to cooperate on exchange of information and experiences through research, study and cultural exchanges aimed at fostering greater understanding and awareness between their peoples. According to the Director General: “this partnership has resulted in the provision by the Rio Branco Institute in 2011, of a one year scholarship worth over R$100,000 to one OECS candidate to pursue Training at its Diplomatic Academy.”

The Director General was of the view that the future of relations with Brazil holds much promise. She conveyed her very best wishes to the Brazilian Ambassador for a successful tenure and assured him of her full support.

Ambassador Whitaker Salles responded by thanking the Director General for her generous words about his country and reassured her of the full commitment of the Government of Brazil under the leadership of its new President, to the processes of regional integration and South-South Cooperation. 

According to the Ambassador, Brazil’s commitment to both processes is amply demonstrated by its leadership in establishing the new Community of Latin America and the Caribbean (CELAC), a hemispheric organization that aims to foster cooperation and collaboration between its Members on issues of mutual concern.

Brazil established relations with the OECS Secretariat on 23^rd September 2009 and has established embassies in all six independent Member States of the OECS.