SVG signs visa waiver agreement with Ecuador

Vincentians and Ecuadoreans can now travel between countries without the use of a visa. On Tuesday, a visa waiver agreement was signed at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conference room, which further cemented the relationship between the two countries.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Commerce Sir Louis Straker noted that the relationship between the countries, {{more}}though it started 27 years ago, was not very robust.

He, however, added that the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America (ALBA) has brought both countries together and that they are currently enjoying solidarity and friendship, which they did not in the past.

According to him, St Vincent and the Grenadines has never had a foreign country come to its aid at a time of natural disaster as Ecuador did and stated his gratitude to South American country, which, within eight months, sent its army corps of engineers to build four bridges after the Christmas Eve flood of 2013.

The Foreign Affairs minister told the audience that the visa waiver agreement was signed with the expectation that it would result in a greater flow of tourism between the two countries.

In light of the agreement, Straker stated that schools here must teach Spanish in a more rigorous way, in order to have a greater unity among people in the hemisphere.

In the past, SVG has signed memoranda of understanding with Ecuador that enabled Ecuadorean teachers to come to this country for an intensive course in English.

The deputy prime minister noted that the Government is looking forward to having the programme remain on-stream so that more Ecuadoreans could visit the country to, “enjoy our hospitality and to learn the English language.”

“We trust that as we sign this agreement, it would go forth throughout the length and breadth of St Vincent that we have a friend in Ecuador…as we journey together we would realize greater upliftment for our people and our countries as members of ALBA, members of the United Nations, members of the OAS…we hope that this would cement our relationship.”

During his remarks at the ceremony, non-resident Ambassador of the Republic of Ecuador to St Vincent, His Excellency Galo Yépez Holguin said that both countries are on a common path towards development.

Holguin said the programmes show their growing friendship and thanked the people of SVG for the help his country received following the severe earthquake it suffered in April this year.

He said the waiver agreement would improve tourism and business in both countries. (AS)