The decision by the government of the Dominican Republic to proceed with plans
to construct an embassy and residential quarters in Antigua at the invitation of the
Antigua and Barbuda government is testimony of the strong ties that exist between
the two Caribbean nations.
These are the sentiments of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and Trade Minister, Hon.
E.P Chet Greene, as he welcomed his counterpart from the Dominican Republic,
Miguel Vargas and his visiting delegation to Antigua and Barbuda. The DR’s
Foreign Minister Vargas arrived in Antigua Saturday to participate in the formal
opening of the Dominican Republic embassy in Antigua located at Jasmine Court.
He also participated in a brief ceremony at the Office of the Prime Minister on
Sunday marking the signing of several agreements between the two countries.
Greene said the opening of the embassy is a step forward for Antigua and Barbuda
and the Dominican Republic who share ties of geography and history, noting that
today a significant number of Dominican Republic nationals reside in Antigua and
Barbuda. He noted that since the 1920’s Antiguans migrated to the DR to work in
the sugar plantations and many have remained there.
Minister Greene disclosed that his grandfather was one of those who journeyed to
the DR and today he has discovered members of his family living in the Spanish-speaking country. He added that during a visit to the DR in May, he was informed
that the country has a well-developed institute to train diplomats and that this is
one area where Antigua and Barbuda would have an interest as it too seeks to
produce a cadre of young, trained diplomats to man the diplomatic services.
The visiting foreign minister expressed his delight to be in Antigua and Barbuda
stating that he looks forward to deepening ties between the two nations especially
with the opening of the embassy in St. John’s.
He noted that Caribbean states, natural disasters are something that they must face
from time to time. He said the DR is keen to have further talks with Antigua and
Barbuda in this area.
During the ceremony, witnessed by officials from the two governments, including
Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Hon. Gaston Browne, both Greene and
Vargas signed an Air Services agreement to facilitate greater travel between the
two countries as well as a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Risk
Management and Disasters.
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Hopefully they will make this embassy look high-class and construct it in a quality way. I’m glad to see Antigua becoming a diplomatic HUB in the Caribbean.
This is long overdue. Congrats to both governments and best wishes for a deeper relationship among the peoples.
@ Real talk
Do you think an embassy in Haiti would be more strategic and more beneficial to the DR? Since there are 10s of thousands of their Nationals living in Haiti?
Nar. They are practically neighbours but don’t seem to want to or can’t “coexist” An embassy can only be beneficial if there is a good relationship to begin with. I don’t think the DR wants a Haitian invasion.
Who is the gentleman on the far right?
Notes From A Native Son Of the Rock! “All relationships are based on centers and margins and the distances from either the center or the margin. When black people view themselves as centered and central in their own history then they see themselves as agents, actors, and participants rather than as marginals on
the periphery of political or economic experience.” – Asante!
Given the high level of interaction between these two Caribbean SIDS along our Caribbean Highway and in our interconnected world of today, diplomatic offices, such as this proposed embassy is needed in each country to aid in and allow such interactions between our two peoples to occur without unnecessary difficulties!
“An embassy and residential quarters in Antigua at the invitation of the Antigua and Barbuda government” on Woods Estate!
Many years ago, this mere voice in the wilderness chastised the former Minister of Finance for seeing “all development bright and beautiful in the Golden Mile!” Recognizing the follies of Governments and their penchants to cater to the rich and powerful, the present Minister of Finance was also taken to task for the Highway Upgrade along the “Golden Mile and beyond!” instead of the directions leading to the poorer vilages and “Barrio Africanos!”
It is shameful that in this age of Enlightenment we continue to see no Master Planning but a steady bacchanal masquerading of Ribbon Development to suit the whims and fancies of the Rich and Powerful!
Why in this small piece of Paradise are Embassies being constructed with Residential Quarters! Are these to serve all of the workers or just the Ambassador and key Attaché!
Many Moons ago, this mere voice in the wilderness suggested a St. John’s City Centre Master Plan with Embassies and Consulates along the QEII Highway to serve the People of African descent in keeping with St John’s as a “Walking Livable City!” As you move further and further from the City Centre, the carbon footprint grows with the radius of the walking distance!
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