St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ Minister of Foreign Affairs Fitz Bramble says the New Democratic Party (NDP) administration will ensure the country’s diplomatic missions are staffed by individuals “who are not only qualified, but who can be trusted to implement the policies of our government.”
In a statement published on his ministry’s Facebook page, Bramble said the new administration, which assumed office on Nov. 27 after winning 14 of the 15 parliamentary seats, intends to use St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ diplomatic missions as a central vehicle for advancing foreign policy priorities.
He said the government will “leverage St. Vincent and the Grenadines’ foreign relations and its diplomatic offices as the primary vehicle for implementing foreign policies to the benefit of all Vincentian people.”
Bramble noted that the administration will also reassess the country’s engagement in regional and multilateral bodies. “Our new administration will continue to reflect on our participation in regional and multinational organisations with a view to reaffirming our commitments in the interest of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” he said.
The foreign minister, who also holds responsibility for foreign trade, foreign investment and diaspora affairs, said the government remains committed to working with partners at the regional and international levels to create what he described as the best possible environment for national and regional development.
He said St. Vincent and the Grenadines is navigating a rapidly changing global environment marked by “meandering geopolitics and invariably overwhelming economic uncertainty amidst accelerating technological landscapes,” making it critical for small developing states to pursue a strategic and deliberate approach to international engagement.
“These realities make it necessary and critical for small developing states such as SVG to adhere to a strategic approach, which should guide the country’s level and nature of engagement with other countries and how SVG serves its citizens,” Bramble said.
He also stressed the importance of creativity and realism in foreign trade and investment policy. “Our foreign trade and investment policies must be creative and realistic if they are to fulfil our quest for managing the vulnerabilities we face,” he said.
Bramble highlighted the Vincentian diaspora as a key pillar of the government’s development strategy, describing it as an extension of the nation’s community. “My government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Honourable Godwin Friday, has identified and committed to the engaging and empowering of our Vincentian brothers and sisters living abroad,” he said.
“We firmly believe that our Vincentian diaspora can and will contribute to the meaningful development of our beautiful country,” Bramble added.
