The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has extended congratulations to the twin island federation of St Kitts and Nevis as the nation celebrates its 41st Anniversary of Independence on Thursday.
In a message to the Government and the people of the Federation, CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett noted that the theme of this year’s celebration “Together, a People, Proud and Strong: Independence 41,” serves as “a resounding call to commemorate collective accomplishments and forge an even stronger, more unified twin-island Federation.”
Barnett commended the country’s significant contribution to promoting regional integration.
“CARICOM has greatly benefitted from the commitment of the Government and the People of the Federation. Notably, St Kitts and Nevis continues to be a strong and unwavering supporter of regional progress in Human Resource Development, Health, and HIV/AIDS.”
“As St Kitts and Nevis celebrates its independence with pride, enthusiasm and a renewed vigour, the Community honours the country’s achievements, and extends best wishes for the continued advancement, prosperity and well-being of the people,” the Secretary General said.
Saint Kitts and Nevis were among the first islands in the Caribbean to be colonized by Europeans. Saint Kitts was home to the first British and French Caribbean colonies, and thus has also been titled “The Mother Colony of the West Indies”. It is also the most recent British territory in the Caribbean to become independent, gaining independence in 1983.
St Kitts and Nevis achieved full independence on 19 September 1983. Kennedy Simmonds of the PAM, Premier since 1980, duly became the country’s first Prime Minister. St Kitts and Nevis opted to remain within the British Commonwealth, at that time retaining Queen Elizabeth as Monarch, represented locally by a Governor-General.
