Charlestown, Nevis
October 30, 2007
Premier of Nevis, the Hon. Joseph Parry on Tuesday October 30,2007, welcomed new Canadian High Commission to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, His Excellency Mr. David Marshall to Nevis and expressed the hope that the envoy would find his brief visit enjoyable.
The visit provided an opportunity for the High Commissioner to dialogue and on matters of mutual interest during a luncheon meeting at the Four Seasons Resort.
“Welcome Commissioner Marshall to Nevis and to the Four Seasons Resort, Nevis. I hope that you will enjoy your brief stay here and that will find this hotel to be the best hotel in the world and certainly the people of Nevis, very friendly. Your government has been kind to us in the past and I am looking forward to continuing a great relationship with the government of Canada,” the Premier said.
In response the High Commissioner concurred and also expressed his pleasure for the warm reception to the island and articulated his government’s continued commitment.“Thank you for welcoming and receiving me here so well. It’s a pleasure to see such a lovely establishment here especially with its connection with Canada as well.
“Our Prime Minister has doubled our financial commitment for development in the region which is now $600 million (Canadian dollars) and that’s a 10 year commitment and so I want to talk to you about that and where we can be most helpful,” the Canadian Diplomat said.
The Canadian envoy, who officially took up his posting in Barbados on October 1, 2007 indicated that it was his government’s intention to improve on the good relations that existed between the OECS countries, through its support of regional integration, trade negotiations, the judiciary, the development of democratic governments, security and projects aimed at improving education.
“We are working out our programme now and one of the reasons I am visiting now is to gather information so that we can be helpful where you want us to be rather than whatever we decide to be,” he said.
The new Canadian High Commissioner, who will serve a two year term, is currently on a familiarisation tour of the islands in the Eastern Caribbean which had relations with Canada and hinted that St. Kitts Nevis was the first leg of his visit outside his Barbados based post.
Before his arrival on Nevis, High Commissioner Marshall met and held discussions with Prime Minister of the Federation, the Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas.
He returned to St. Kitts this afternoon where he was expected to leave for Antigua.