ST. KITTS-NEVIS PRIME MINISTER ENGAGES IN MEANINGFUL DIALOGUE ON VENEZUELA WITH NORWAY’S PRIME MINISTER

July 4^th, 2019

The Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris is at this moment (just after 8:00am on Thursday, July 4^th, 2019) discussing important matters in relation to Venezuela with the Prime Minister of Norway, Her Excellency Erna Solberg.  The discussion is taking place during a breakfast meeting in Saint Lucia.

The Norwegian Prime Minister was a special guest at yesterday’s opening ceremony of the 40^th Regular Meeting of the Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government.

Also in attendance at the breakfast meeting are the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley and the Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable Mia Mottley, as well as CARICOM’s Secretary-General, Ambassador His Excellency Irwin LaRocque and CARICOM’s Assistant Secretary-General for Foreign and Community Relations, Ambassador His Excellency Colin Granderson along with key support staff.

Over the past six months, Prime Minister Harris has been the leading force behind CARICOM’s thrust to advance dialogue and negotiations on behalf of the people of Venezuela.

Since January, the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis has been working the phones and travelling on diplomatic missions, capably leading CARICOM’s diplomacy efforts and receiving unwavering support from his Colleague Heads of Government – in particular, Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley and the Honourable Mia Mottley – and CARICOM’s Secretary-General.

Prime Minister Harris assumed the six-month chairmanship of CARICOM on January 1^st, 2019 – and since then hit the ground running during an exceptionally busy and high-profile tenure as Chairman that has solidified his reputation as a strong leader.

During his remarks in his capacity as outgoing Chairman of the Caribbean Community at yesterday’s opening ceremony, Prime Minister Harris commended the Norwegian Government for its efforts “to bring the two sides [in Venezuela] together in an attempt to end the impasse and allow the country to return to stability.”

Prime Minister Harris also said yesterday, “We must make clear that CARICOM plays a role of honest broker” in advancing dialogue and negotiations in Venezuela.  “All stakes are high,” Dr. Harris added.
The 40^th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community is being held at the Sandals Grande Saint Lucian Resort on July 4^th and 5^th.

This morning’s breakfast meeting is taking place ahead of the plenary session of the 40^th Regular Meeting.