BY GOVERNMENT OF BARBADOS | SEP 23, 2022
Barbados’Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Dr. The Most Honourable Jerome Walcott (right), shakes hands with Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of the Solomon Islands, Jeremiah Manele, following the signing of a Joint Communique at the Permanent Mission of the Solomon Islands to the United Nations in New York, USA.(Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade)
Barbados and the Solomon Islands have formally established diplomatic relations.
On Monday, September 19, 2022, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Senator Dr. The Most Honourable Jerome Walcott, and his counterpart Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of the Solomon Islands, Jeremiah Manele, signed a joint communique during a brief signing ceremony held at the Permanent Mission of the Solomon Islands to the United Nations in New York, USA.
Senior Minister Walcott, in expressing Barbados’ pleasure at signing the legal instrument with a fellow SIDS member, stated: “The two countries will continue to focus on a common foreign policy anchored in the principles of non-intervention, non-interference, respect for sovereignty, human rights and democracy and the adherence to the rule of law.”
Minister Manele remarked that the establishment of diplomatic relations with Barbados marked an opportunity for the two countries to further collaborate in areas of common interest such as food security, education and the sharing of best practices in other areas.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Simone Rudder, Barbados’ Ambassador to the UN in New York, François Jackman, and other officials bore witness to the historic occasion.
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Statement On Establishment Of Diplomatic Relations With Solomon Islands
It has been more than a pleasure for me to sign, on behalf of the Government of Barbados, this instrument that formalises the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries.
No doubt you are keenly aware – as am I – that the similarities and synergies that exist between Barbados and the Solomon Islands are many. We are both members of the SIDS fraternity and both are insular States that are guardians of vast areas of maritime space.
As SIDS, the common and unique challenges that confront us are many, but I dare say that they are not necessarily insurmountable. We must, however, continue to work concertedly, and assiduously, to make our collective voices heard in the international arena on critical issues, including with respect to the triad challenges of climate crisis, access to finance and food insecurity.
I am sure that our two countries will continue to focus on a common foreign policy anchored in the principles of non-intervention, non-interference, respect for sovereignty, human rights and democracy and the adherence to the rule of law.
I have no doubt that the significant step that we have taken today will serve our countries and people well. I look forward to forging an even deeper and wider cooperative relationship for mutual benefit.
