MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina begins offensive to strengthen ties with CARICOM members

Marcelo Aldo Salviolo, a strong political commitment to strengthen relations with St Lucia

Argentina is hoping to use its “strong political commitment” with St Lucia to strengthen ties with the wider Caribbean Community (CARICOM) grouping, its ambassador Marcelo Aldo Salviolo has said.

According to a report from the Antigua.Observer.com, on presenting his credentials to Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy, the diplomat said that Argentina wants to explore areas of mutual benefit for both countries as well as the 15-member regional grouping.

“Argentina has a strong political commitment to strengthen ties with St. Lucia and from there with all CARICOM countries.

“The Argentine police support to the Caribbean has been consistent for several decades, as we all live together in a world confronted with new challenges. Among other issues we should unite our efforts and strengths towards multilateralism, the war against terrorism and drug trafficking and money laundering.

“Furthermore unity among our people will ensure the defence of democratic institutions, defence of human right and sustainable growth in the hemisphere,” Ambassador Salviolo added.

Argentina was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with St. Lucia after the country attained political independence from Britain on February 22, 1979.

Dame Pearlette said that she hoped the appointment of the new diplomat would lead to improved relations between the two countries.

“During the past decade, technical cooperation between St. Lucia and Argentina has been fairly active, with St. Lucia benefiting from programs provided by the Argentine fund for horizontal co-operation which your government set up for the purpose of sharing knowledge, skills and experience with developing countries.

“In this regard we have collaborated in the area of education, particularly language training and in the agriculture sector. Your Excellency referred to Argentina’s transfer of technology in several fields and its strong political commitment to strengthening ties with St. Lucia and the wider Caribbean.

“We are indeed heartened by that reassurance and we look forward to exploring with you the many initiatives, both great and small by which we can consolidate our partnership to promote greater co-operation not only between ourselves but among the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean,” she added.

Saint Lucia is a Commonwealth realm with Queen Elizabeth II as head of State represented on the island by a Governor General. The executive power is in the hands of the Prime Minister and his cabinet. The PM is normally the head of the party commanding the support of the majority of the members of the House of Assembly which has 17 seats. The other chamber of Parliament is the Senate which has 11 appointed members. Saint Lucia is a two-party parliamentary democracy. Five political parties participated in the November 28, 2011 General Election. Dr Kenny Davis Anthony of the St Lucia Labour Party won eleven of the seventeen seats.

Saint Lucia is a full and participating member of the Caribbean Community, CARICOM (15 members) Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, OECS, and La Francophonie