Above: Edita Hrda (UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

The Czech Republic’s new ambassador to Dominica, Edita Hrda, has presented her letters of credence to Dominican President Dr Nicholas Liverpool.

“The Czech Republic has longstanding relations with Caribbean countries,” she said. “Dominica is a very important player in international organizations. I can attest to that, because I am cooperating closely with Caribbean ambassadors, especially with Dominica’s ambassador in the United Nations.”

Hrda has been the country’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations since 2011.

She has been designated to serve as Czech ambassador to a number 11 Caribbean countries.

Liverpool said he was looking forward to improved relations between the two states.

“Since the formalizing of relations between our countries in 1996, the ties have been cordial, though limited in scope,” he said. “It is my sincere hope that your appointment as ambassador will usher in and activate a new spirit of bilateral cooperation between our two countries.”

That cooperation could focus on trade and investment, areas Liverpool said were traditionally provided by the Czech Republic.

He also commended the Czech Republic’s government for supporting the Millennium Development Goals, which seek to eradicate extreme poverty.

“We look forward to providing support for the candidacy of the Czech Republic on various international bodies in appropriate circumstances,” he said.