by Emmanuel H. Joseph
Government Information Service
Prime Minister, Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, continues to speak highly of the deepening relations between Dominica and Venezuela. During his address to hundreds gathered for the Independence Day Rally, the Dominica leader said the relationship with the South American country has been very rewarding despite being openly criticised by many
He indicated that this is a clear demonstration of government’s efforts to develop a strong foreign policy.
Hon. Prime Minister,
Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit
“With the advent of a new world order, your government has realised that as a small nation state, we could not remain static while the international arena shifted around us. We had to branch out and engage with the newly emerging powers of the world and those within our region. Given our size and location, we have had to be astute and pragmatic in our foreign affairs. The cold war is long over and we must make no apology to anyone for the friends that we make and the countries that we engage.
Ladies and gentlemen, on attaining independence thirty (30) years ago, we realise that in addition to maintaining traditional links with our fellow West Indians, we also had to break away from the narrow confines of the Anglophone Caribbean and engage with Latin America. The first country to establish a permanent mission in Dominica was our neighbour to the southwest, the Republic of Venezuela. Since then, our relationship with what is now the Bolivarian Republic has grown from strength to strength and remains firm. We have been severely criticised for our relationship with our esteemed friend, Hugo Chavez and for engagement with Petro Caraibe and membership with ALBA. But we will not be swayed for this is a perfect example of the bold initiatives that are required and which we must continue to take if we are to survive. Tonight, I say thank you to the Government and people of Venezuela and to President Hugo Chavez for your great support to our people.”
The Dominica leader also made special mention of the contribution of the Cuban Government to the Dominican economy especially in the area of health care and educational training.
“Our relationship to Cuba has similarly blossomed. We see the results of our Cuban fraternity in the hundreds of trained Dominican professionals who serve our country and the number of Cuban comrades who work here with us in our hospitals and clinics. We must not forget such contributions as the Miracle Eye Care Programme, the Nursing Training Programme, the Diagnosis Center and the Intensive Care Unit among others which are all contributions from the Government and people of Cuba. In the coming years, this relationship will be expanded and strengthened. It is in gratitude and celebration of this long and fruitful association that we honour former President Fidel Castro of Cuba with Dominica’s highest award of honour tonight. Thank you to the Government and people of Cuba for your role in our development.”
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