Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
February 06, 2008 (CUOPM)
The recently-opened St. Kitts and Nevis Embassy in the Republic of China on Taiwan will expand the potential of both governments to build on their relationship, further facilitate the myriad of diplomatic, business and technical and other forms of bilateral cooperation that under-gird constructive relations between sovereign states.
So says St. Kitts and Nevis’ Prime Minister Hon. Dr. Denzil L. Douglas at the official opening of the office in Taipei, who added that cooperation with Taiwan over the years has yielded impressive results in the areas of agriculture, community development, sports, infrastructure expansion and diplomatic training.
Dr. Douglas described the opening of the Embassy as an important day in the special and ever-evolving relationship between the Government of the Republic of China on Taiwan and the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis.
“The relationship between our nations has been one of steady and constructive solidarity. The Republic of China on Taiwan has been able to depend, without question, on the support of my government on matters of importance to the Government and the People of the Republic of China on Taiwan. My government has been able to depend, without question, on the support of the Government of Taiwan, on matters of importance to us,” said Dr. Douglas to several government officials and representatives of the Diplomatic Corps.
Dr. Douglas said that the relationship between Taiwan and St. Kitts and Nevis has been one of meaningful symbiosis. “It has been one of positive and constructive synergies. And it has been one of mutual respect, mutual benefit, and results-oriented bilateral co-operation.”
The St. Kitts and Nevis leader, who noted that he has visited Taiwan on previous occasions, pointed out that the current trip, his seventh, is different from any of my previous visits.
“Indeed, it will prove to be historic in that, in a very concrete and tangible way, the purpose for my visit will dramatically expand the potential of our respective governments to build on, and further facilitate, the myriad of diplomatic, business and technical and other forms of bilateral cooperation that under-gird constructive relations between sovereign states,” said Prime Minister Douglas.
He said that St. Kitts and Nevis cooperation with Taiwan has yielded over the years, impressive results in the areas of agriculture, community development, sports, infrastructure expansion and diplomatic training.
Dr. Douglas pointed out that President Chen Shiu- bian recently complete his “Journey of Mutual Friendship and Sustained Development” ““ a journey that took him to a number of countries in Central America and the Caribbean region.
“Based on the experience of my government, however, Taiwan’s “Journey of Mutual Friendship and Sustained Development” began a long time ago. Indeed this has been the thrust and theme of the relationship that has existed between your country and mine ever since diplomatic relations was first established some 25 years ago,” Dr. Douglas further pointed out.
The Prime Minister said that over the years there have been several officials who have established residence in St. Kitts and Nevis as part of the journey to the strengthening of relations and the opening of the Embassy and paid tribute to previous ROC Resident Ambassadors including Her Excellency Katherine Chang, the first Resident Ambassador of Taiwan to St. Kitts and Nevis; her successor Her Excellency Ambassador Marietta Liau and her husband Herman and current Ambassador, His Excellency, John Liu and wife.
Dr. Douglas also noted that the Government and people of St. Kitts and Nevis have on many occasions welcomed several government officials, business persons and ordinary visitors from Taiwan to the twin-island Federation.
He used the occasion to recall the State Visit to St. Kitts & Nevis in 2005 of President Chen, Shui-Bian; Foreign Minister, Tan Sun Chen, and other dignitaries who accompanied him and the visit of the Presidential Special Envoy, Tseng-Chang Su, last year.