Louise Mitchell-Joseph has been appointed the Honorary Consul of Finland to St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

Mitchell-Joseph, the daughter of former Prime Minister Sir James Mitchell, took up her appointment October 1st, 2009, and was approved by the Government of St.Vincent and the Grenadines on September 17th, 2009.{{more}}

An elated Mitchell-Joseph told SEARCHLIGHT on Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009, she feels honoured to have been selected by the Government of Finland to be their representative to St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

She was recommended for the post by Sir Ronald Saunders, a business consultant, former Caribbean diplomat, and SEARCHLIGHT columnist.

Above her academic and professional experience, Mitchell-Joseph placed her voluntary work as the chief factor for her selection to the post of Honorary Consul to Finland. At present she is the Chairman of the St.Vincent and the Grenadines National Trust and a lead member of the St. Mary’s Restoration Committee and Trust.

She noted that Finland also desires to have persons of integrity to fill such posts.

Mitchell-Joseph, who is fluent in French and Spanish and speaks a bit of Arabic, said she would like to visit Finland and even live there a bit.

She pointed out that Finland is an affluent country and has high regards for sustainable development and renewable energy.

Mitchell-Joseph added, Finland happens to be one of the least corrupt countries in the world and is one of the first in Europe to give full voting rights to women.

She said her aim is to make Vincentians more aware of Finland.

She plans to work with the Government of St.Vincent and the Grenadines to forge stronger ties with Finland.

Mitchell-Joseph said she is hoping that St.Vincent and the Grenadines would take advantage of the new relationship with Finland. She believes that it is important for this country to find allies in Europe especially on the controversial European Partnership Agreement. This partnership will be reviewed in five years time and “the more allies we have in Europe that can bat in our corner the better”.

A lawyer by profession, Mitchell-Joseph said in January she intends to have an official launch of the post here. Following this an agenda will be set, she stated. (HN)