Basseterre, St. Kitts, April 10, 2019 (SKNIS): During a video message on April 09 where best wishes were extended to St. Kitts and Nevis on the 2019 edition of Diplomatic Week, the Right Honourable Patricia Scotland QC, Commonwealth’s Secretary-General, said that Diplomatic Week hones attention on important needs of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“Diplomatic Week is a most admirable initiative, providing as it does time within the context of global trends and current developments in international affairs to reflect and focus on the particular needs of small states in the Caribbean,” said the Right Honourable Patricia Scotland in a video address. “It has special significance this year during January until June in which St. Kitts and Nevis is Chair of CARICOM.”
Commenting on the theme: “Securing a Resilient Future through Strategic Diplomacy and Effective Dialogue”, the secretary-general said it is timely and important.
“This Diplomatic Week theme of resilience building relates directly to so much of our longstanding and continuing Commonwealth collaboration. Many countries of the Caribbean contribute to this and draw benefit from it in the Commonwealth spirit of goodwill and mutual support whereby all give and all gain,” said the secretary-general.
The Right Honourable Scotland added “I thank the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis for such stalwart commitment to the Commonwealth and offer my warmest good wishes to all taking part in Diplomatic Week 2019.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aviation’s 2019 edition of Diplomatic Week commenced on Sunday, April 07 with a thanksgiving service at the Zion Moravian Church in Basseterre. The week ends on Friday, April 12.
Just last month (March), Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, Kaye Bass, said that Diplomatic Week is a period of time set about in the calendar – every three years – when diplomats are invited to St. Kitts and Nevis to be updated on the government’s priorities; what has been taking place; how they fit in in the government’s agenda, and how the government expects diplomats to express and safeguard its interest overseas. She added that it is an opportunity for the government to express to its representatives overseas that they are important to the government.