UNITED NATIONS – Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne has “successful discussions” with President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic as the two countries seek to “deepening the cooperation given their strong historical and economic ties”.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne and President Luis Abinader lead seperate delegations as Antigua and Barbuda and Dominican Republic seek closer ties.The two leaders met on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and according to a statement issued afterwards Prime Minister Browne “laid out a clear plan of engagement that would be pursued on a two-tiered basis”.
The statement said that Prime Minister Browne has extended an official invitation to President Abinader to attend the fourth UN Conference on Small Island States that will take place in Antigua in May next year.
Additionally, the statement said Browne encouraged the Dominican Republic to formally join the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law (COSIS).
Formed in 2021, COSIS’s mandate is “to assist small states in defining and developing international law on the rules associated with climate change”.
On bilateral matters, the statement said Abinader indicated to Browne that his government will “move swiftly with the allocation of funds regarding the construction of a school in Barbuda and will also support Antiguans and Barbudans to attend baseball training camps, given the increased interest in the sport on island.
“Prime Minster Browne thanked President Abinader for his generous offer and reiterated the government offer of lands to build an Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Antigua”.
Browne also proposed increased airlink between both countries “that will facilitate trade and tourism between their two countries.
“President Abinader shared his enthusiasm about Prime Minister’s Browne proposal and, in return, committed his government to working on a new cooperation agreement with Antigua and Barbuda, whereby these areas of cooperation will be enhanced,” the statement said.
“Both Prime Minister Browne and President Abinader concluded the bilateral meeting by agreeing to increase the exchange of official state visits between their countries,” the statement added.
