SVG, Ecuador pursuing closer ties

St Vincent and the Grenadines and Ecuador are moving towards deepening their relations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced last week Tuesday.{{more}}

Ecuador has, for the first time, appointed an ambassador to this country, since the establishment of diplomatic relations on August 1,1989.

Galoandrés Yépez Holguín, resident ambassador in Guatemala, presented his credentials to the Governor General Sir Frederick Ballantyne on September 10. The ambassador also paid courtesy calls on Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Minister of Foreign Affairs Senator Douglas Slater and the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Yoel Perez-Marcano — dean of the diplomatic corps.

During his visit, Galoandrés met with other officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and took the opportunity to elaborate on a proposal that aims to engage both countries’ foreign ministries in bilateral consultation on a biennial basis. The proposed memorandum of understanding emphasizes the desire “to strengthen friendly relations and cooperation between both parties, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter and the accepted norms of international law,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

It also encourages the engagement of both parties in various forms of cooperation in the areas of economics, trade, science and technology, culture, information, sports, and tourism.

Relations between both countries have been cordially maintained, since the established of formal ties.

Galoandrés will be working closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to continue the development and implementation of bilateral initiatives between the two countries, the release said.

Galoandrés’ visit to St Vincent and the Grenadines took place almost one week after Ramon Leets, ambassador of Nicaragua to St Vincent and the Grenadines, presented credentials to the Governor General on September 5. Ecuador and Nicaragua, like St Vincent and the Grenadines, are members of ALBA.

The ambassador left St Vincent on Wednesday last.