Above: Charlestown, Nevis (CJ Photo)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The United States and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States have formally established diplomatic relations.

OECS Director General Dr Len Ishmael called it “the beginning of a new chapter in the long and enduring relationship between the United States and its friends in the Eastern Caribbean.”

“We at the OECS are indeed happy that the United States has now joined the growing list of countries which have seen value in entering a deeper and more formal relationship with us,” Ishmael said.

The US is the eight country to establish diplomatic relations with the OECS.

“Today marks an important milestone in American engagement in the Eastern Caribbean, and underscores our commitment to addressing our common challenges together,” said new US envoy Christopher Sandrolini.

The US is currently working with Eastern Caribbean countries on a number of projects, including some aimed at strengthening juvenile justice and building climate change adaptive capacity.