The Government of Antigua and Barbuda and the Government of the Cook Islands has formalized diplomatic relations during a ceremony at the High Commission of Antigua and Barbuda in London.
A government statement noted that the High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Karen-Mae Hill, and the Foreign Secretary of the Cook Islands Tepaeru Herrmann, signed a joint communique establishing diplomatic relations between the two states.
Following the ceremony, Hill and Herrmann discussed a range of areas of common interest between the two countries and potential areas of co-operation, the statement said.
“The two countries have much in common – both are small island developing states, with small resident populations and comparatively sizeable diaspora,” the statement said. “Both are members of the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group of countries with tourism as the key earner of both economies. And both are confronted with various vulnerabilities, including the threat of hurricanes and cyclones.”
Hill underscored the importance of small state advocacy in areas of mutual interest.
“This ceremony today represents a recognition of the importance of dialogue between small island economies, which often individually lack the capacity to represent their interest in international for a,” she said. “Far from being powerless due to size, small states numerically hold significant power to influence global policy”.
Herrmann welcomed the signing as “an important step in strengthening co-operation between the two states.
“The Cook Islands is currently grappling with the issue of DAC graduation, a challenge also confronting Antigua and Barbuda and many small islands developing states,” she said. “It is imperative we work together to ensure resilience and vulnerability are included in the index that defines a country’s level of development.”
The communiqué conveys the agreement of both States for their diplomatic relations to be “guided by the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations and international law, particularly on equality among States, respect for national sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and respect for international treaties.”
The communiqué also expressed the desire of both States to “promote and strengthen bonds of friendship and cooperation between their two countries in political, economic, cultural, humanitarian and other fields.”
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
