(Castries, November 26, 2012) On the 26^th of November, 2012, His Excellency Edmundo Font, Ambassador of Mexico to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) presented his credentials to Her Excellency Dr. Len Ishmael, Director General of the OECS, in an official ceremony at the OECS Secretariat.   

In her opening remarks, the Director General warmly received the Mexican Ambassador, and expressed her strong hope for the further enhancement of the existing friendship between the OECS and Mexico. Underscoring the importance of Mexico’s role in the promotion of South-South dialogue, the Director General remarked that “…with one of the world’s largest free-market economies, Mexico is indeed a major power in the Western Hemisphere. Mexico’s participation in important economic groupings such as the G8 +5 and the G20, and its role as a founding member of international organizations such as the United Nations, the Organisation of American States (OAS), and the Rio Group, all confirm the country’s role as an influential state actor in international affairs.”

In addition, the Director General called for closer cooperation among the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean to advance the development objectives of the wider region. She asserted that both sides “... must continue to explore ways in which we can increase economic linkages by expanding two-way trade flows, improving transport communication between the regions, promoting investment, and encouraging collaboration in key economic sectors such as tourism.”

Expounding on the major cooperative initiatives between Mexico and the OECS thus far, Dr. Ishmael related that Mexico has provided many opportunities in tertiary education and training to young people in the region. She also announced that the OECS and Mexico would soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding on Scientific and Technical Cooperation, which would serve to expand cooperation between both sides in areas such as tourism, trade and investment, disaster management, civil aviation and sea ports, and information technology among others.

In his response, the Mexican Ambassador affirmed that, “Mexico firmly considers its relation with the Eastern Caribbean to be fundamental.” He then went on to speak highly of the progress that the OECS region has made in integration, and stated that, “My country would like to highlight the great and outstanding advancements that the OECS has achieved in its regional integration with the creation of new bodies and government structure, in which the inhabitants of the Eastern Caribbean are represented, as is the case of the Assembly, whose inaugural session I had the honour in attending as representative of Mexico. Undoubtedly, the constitution of this body is a reflection of the great effort and political will of all the Heads of Government and officials of the OECS.”

He further remarked that, “The remarkable accomplishments that the integration of the OECS has undoubtedly made the region more resilient and better prepared to face the challenges of the complex world economic panorama. It is in these present moments, that international cooperation, and joint coordinated actions serve as tools to ensure the prosperity and advancement of our people.”

In addition, the Mexican Ambassador also addressed the details of the Scientific and Technical Cooperation agreement that his country and the OECS would be signing in the New Year.

In his closing remarks, the Mexican Ambassador reaffirmed his serious commitment to relations with the OECS and stressed his country’s willingness to increase cooperation and collaboration.