United Nations, NEW YORK – 22nd September, 2023…Prime Minister the Hon. Gaston Browne held bilateral discussions with the President of the Dominican Republic, His Excellency Luis Abinader in relation to deepening the cooperation between both countries given their strong historical and economic ties.
During the dialogue, which took place at the Mission of the Dominican Republic in New York, Prime Minister Browne laid out a clear plan of engagement that would be pursued on a two-tiered basis.
For the first level, which deals with global issues, Prime Minister Browne presented an official invitation to President Abinader to attend the 4th UN Conference on Small Island States that will take place in May 2024.
Additionally Prime Minister Browne also encouraged the Dominican Republic to formally join the Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law (COSIS). Formed in 2021, its mandate is to assist small states in defining and developing international law on the rules associated with climate change. This allowed for COSIS to recently pursue a ground-breaking matter before the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea.
On bilateral matters, President Abinader indicated to Prime Minister Browne that his government will move swiftly with the allocation of funds regarding the construction of a school in Barbuda and will also support Antiguans and Barbudans to attend baseball training camps given the increased interest in the sport on island.
Prime Minster Browne thanked President Abinader for his generous offer and reiterated the government offer of lands to build an Embassy of the Dominican Republic in Antigua. Prime Minister Browne also proposed increased airlink between both countries that will facilitate trade and tourism between their two countries.
President Abinader shared his enthusiasm about Prime Minister’s Browne proposal and in return committed his government to working on a new cooperation agreement with Antigua and Barbuda whereby these areas of cooperation will be enhanced.
Both Prime Minister Browne and President Abinader concluded the bilateral meeting by agreeing to increase the exchange of official state visits between their countries.
