|
|
|
|
Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
Ambassador Rodrigue is pictured, left, and Minister Fred Mitchell, right. (BIS Photo/Patrick Hanna)
|
NASSAU, The
Bahamas – In his Official Leave Taking, Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to
the Commonwealth of The Bahamas His Excellency Antonio Rodrigue made a Farewell
Courtesy Call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration the Hon.
Fred
Mitchell, as well as Permanent Secretary Sheila Carey (Head of the Foreign Service),
and other senior staff at the Ministry on Wednesday, August 12th, 2015.
Remarks by Hon. Philip E. “Brave” Davis, Q.C., M.P. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Public Works & Urban Development, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, On the Occasion of the
Farewell Reception for H.E. Antonio Rodrigue, Ambassador of the Republic Of Haiti to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas made on Thursday, 13th August 2015, at Luciano’s restaurant in New Providence, The Bahamas:
Your Excellency, Dame Marguerite Pindling
Colleague Ministers
Members of the Senate
Members of the House of Assembly
Secretary to the Cabinet
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Senior Government Officials
Members of the Honorary Consular Corps
Other Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
Thank you for joining us this evening as we bid farewell to His Excellency Antonio Rodrigue, Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps.
Tomorrow is his last official day of work in these capacities after having spent nearly five years with us. He leaves this weekend to prepare to take up his next post as Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium.
With the passage of time, we have an ever-increasing understanding of the benefits of forging relations and partnerships with all countries close to us in geography and in spirit. Guided by this sense of togetherness and cooperation, we resolutely meet the challenges before us with confidence and determination, notwithstanding the size or development level of other States.
As with our other immediate neighbouring States, our bilateral relations have predated the formal establishment of diplomatic ties. Historically, Haiti and its nationals have been and continue to be a mainstay in the nature and development of The Bahamas. Relations with your country were formalised in 1977.
Excellency, in keeping with diplomatic representation from Haiti, we in The Bahamas have greatly benefited from your experience as a career diplomat. From the start of your tenure to the present, you have been called upon to act on behalf of your citizens on the ground and in our maritime territory. You have efficiently sought to address the challenges emanating from economic and political difficulties in your Home Country.
The most evident difficulty is the influx of your nationals to our shores. This was amplified by the earthquake that occurred just months before your appointment to The Bahamas. As has often been said to Envoys to The Bahamas from Haiti, “Yours has not been an easy task, as you have sought to uphold the laws of The Bahamas while endeavouring to find mutually acceptable solutions to this problem.”
Nonetheless, through your sound advice and your arduous efforts, and after many years of undertaking, we finally arrived, Excellency, at agreements on very important bilateral matters. These agreements, which were signed in July 2014, include
· a Framework Agreement on Bilateral Cooperation,
· an Agreement on the Promotion and Protection of Investments, and
· an Agreement on Technical Cooperation in Agriculture and Fisheries.
We saw your dedication to advance our bilateral trade relations through the assistance provided to a Haitian trade delegation visiting The Bahamas in April this year. Your effort will not long be forgotten.
As you turn the page on your diplomatic career in a few days, so does your Country with the holding of the long-awaited parliamentary elections only a few days ago, on the 9th of August. We hope only for the best for both you and your Country.
In closing, Excellency, we have enjoyed the excellent working relationship with you and your staff at the Embassy. The dynamics reflect the longstanding cordial relations between our Countries. I am certain that this will continue with your successor.
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is my melancholy duty to propose a toast of farewell to His Excellency Antonio Rodrigue. Please join me in raising your glasses.
Excellency, Bonne Chance and Godspeed!
NASSAU, The Bahamas – His Excellency Antonio Rodrique, Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, took Official Leave of Her Excellency the Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling on Wednesday, August 12, at Government House on the occasion of his Official Leave Taking and Farewell Courtesy Calls. Photos show moments of his visit. (BIS Photos/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)
|
© Copyright 2015 by thebahamasweekly.com
Top of Page
|
|
|
|
