Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica

10/05/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/05/2021 06:55

DOMINICA RECEIVES NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER TO GREAT BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND

Dominica received a new High Commissioner from Great Britain and Northern Ireland. On Friday September 24, His Excellency Scott Furssedonn-Wood presented his credentials to President of Dominica, His Excellency Charles Savarin.

President Savarin says the United Kingdom continues to be one of Dominica's main development partners building on close historical ties and trade relations that continue to exist between the two countries for centuries.

"I therefore welcome the coming into force of the CARIFORUM UK EPA on the 1st of January 2021 which will serve as a fundamental mechanism and ensures continuity in an existing preferential trading and investment relations and to facilitate uninterrupted market access and other EPA benefits for CARIFORUM states in trade with the United Kingdom post Brexit. I am pleased Your Excellency's commitment to further develop the bonds of friendship and cooperation between Dominica and the United Kingdom and the many connections which bind us together," President Savarin stated.

President Savarin acknowledged the strong connection between Dominica and the United Kingdom through significant relations that are conducted at the multilateral level including organs like the United Kingdom Caribbean Forum, the Commonwealth of Nations, the United Nations and its specialized agencies.

"But we value above all, our bilateral relations with the United Kingdom exemplified by the efficient visit to Dominica by His Royal Highness Prince Charles the Prince of Wales in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Maria and Your Excellency's first time visit with His Royal Highness as part of the Royal household. I have no doubt that you will seek to embrace every opportunity to expand and deepen bilateral and regional cooperation as we strive for the development of our two peoples," President Savarin noted.

His Excellency the President spoke of the many benefits that has been derived from Dominica's relationship with Britain saying that since the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on obtaining Independence in 1978, dominica has benefited and continues to benefit through fruitful bilateral cooperation that has focused on a range of subject areas, including health, education, infrastructure development, air access improvement, tourism, agriculture, climate change resilience, and poverty alleviation.

"Dominica also benefits from overseas development assistance, that is channeled through multi-lateral arrangements, such as the Commonwealth and the UK Caribbean Forum," President Savarin added.

His Excellency Scott Furssedonn-Wood is looking forward to the further development of the relationship between Dominica and the United Kingdom, adding that he is proud of the existing relationship and the efforts that the UK has exerted to assist Dominica.

"I am proud of the support that the United Kingdom has given to the Climate Resilience Execution Agency for Dominica (CREAD) in its efforts to implement Dominica's climate resilience recovery," His Excellency Furssedonn-Wood stated.

Dominica and the United Kingdom established diplomatic relations in 1978.