Above: St Kitts (CJ Photo)
By the Caribbean Journal staff
The government of St Kitts and Nevis’ federal Cabinet has approved a revised foreign policy proposed by Foreign Minister Patrice Nisbett, it announced this week.
Nisbett’s proposal is for the twin-island federation to have a “dynamic” foreign policy, “since world events define and shape international relations on an ongoing basis,” according to a government statement.
The recently-revised foreign policy outlines the principles and priorities of St Kitts and Nevis and will “guide the interactions of government officials with foreign governments and regional and international entities,” according to Information Minister Sen. Nigel Carty.
“The ten (10) Foreign Policy principles established are: Sustainable economic growth for all, Human and Social Advancement, Respect for the environment, Non-intervention, Peaceful settlement of conflicts, Right to self-determination, International peace and security, the Promotion of human rights. Democracy and good governance, and Respect for the rule of law,” Carty said following a Cabinet meeting.
The foreign policy also includes the promotion of “trade, investment and tourism through bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation; promotion and facilitation of investment in the Citizenship by Investment Programme; strengthening relations with traditional partners and non-state actors; taking full advantage of our membership in regional and international bodies including the UN and its organs, the OAS, the Commonwealth, CELAC, OECS, and CARICOM and ACS, while fulfilling our role as an active and contributing member and creating and maintaining strong networks with the Diaspora through our overseas missions,” Carty said.
The newly-promulgated foreign policy document also outlines specific strategies for the country’s relations with North America, Latin America, the European Union, Asia and Russia, among others.
“[Nisbett] intimated that St. Kitts and Nevis faces challenges for which local action alone will not suffice,” Carty said. “He advised that no state acting alone can protect itself from the internal and external vulnerabilities, and the purpose of foreign policy is to build relationships in pursuit of our national interest.”
