BY SHEENA FORDE-CRAIGG | NOV 18, 2022
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds and US Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and OECS, Linda Taglialatela, in discussion during their meeting this morning. (S. Forde-Craigg/BGIS)
Building on the current existing relationship and planning the way forward for a commonality of purpose in key areas were the focus of discussion during a courtesy call between Barbados and the United States (US).
The new Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds met with US Ambassador to Barbados, the Eastern Caribbean and OECS, Linda Taglialatela, this morning at the Ministry’s Culloden Road office location.
Key talking points were centred on Renewable Energy in the areas of battery storage, legislation, tariff structures and electric vehicles. Minister Symmonds disclosed that Barbados had erected its first wind farm located in Guinea, St. John with a 1-megawatt capacity.
During the courtesy call, the two officials also conversed about several political and diplomatic matters including: the climate crisis; economic diversification; the Bridgetown Initiative; de-risking and correspondent banking; life sciences; human rights and VISA applications.
Also present at the meeting were: Permanent Secretary, Simone Rudder; Senior Foreign Service Officer, Euclid Goodman; Chief Economist, Agard Evans; Deputy Chief of Mission, David Schnier and First Secretary, Political and Economic Officer, Kevin Ogley.
Formal diplomatic relations between the US and Barbados were established on November 30, 1966, and both countries maintained resident diplomatic representation.
