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Last Updated: Feb 6, 2017 - 2:32:04 PM |
 Nassau, The Bahamas - The Bahamas had 15 new ambassadors and high commissioners accredited to this country in 2010, in the renewal of good bilateral relations, the Hon, Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration said.
He made the statement at the Honorary Consular Corps Annual Christmas Luncheon on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at the Lyford Cay Club.
The event is an avenue where the minister discusses with members of the diplomatic and honorary consular corps steps taken by the Ministry in conjunction with the overall efforts of the country in promoting Foreign Affairs in the countries represented.
Mr Symonette also welcomed newly-appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti, His Excellency Antonio Rodrigue; and the new Honorary Consuls in The Bahamas from Australia, Denmark, Guatemala, Latvia and Norway.
For The Bahamas' part in the continued relations with sister nations, the country appointed former commodore Clifford Scavella as resident ambassador to the Republic of Haiti. He presented his Letters to President René Préval on November 17, 2010. The Bahamas Ambassador to Washington His Excellency C A Smith, presented Letters of Credence to the Mexican Presidency, fully accrediting him as non-resident envoy to Mexico.
Ted Pyfrom, Marsha Stromme, Michal Lazar and Michelle Degoumois joined the Honorary Consular Corps of The Bahamas with their appointments to Argentina, Norway, Slovakia and Switzerland, respectively.
The Bahamas also appointed its first Bahamian Director of The Bahamas Maritime Authority in London, Commander Davy Rolle, former commodore of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and former Ambassador to Haiti.
Additionally, Ambassador Elma Campbell in Beijing presented her Credentials as non-resident ambassador to the Philippines on June 7, 2010.
Mr. Symonette announced that the ministry is about to name a non-resident ambassador to Greece and is seeking to upgrade the Honorary Consulate there to that of a career Consular Office. The Bahamas recently established diplomatic relationships with Bahrain, and is considering diplomatic relations with states in Eastern Europe – especially those contemplating European Union membership and in Asia.
The minister urged the diplomats not to forget the tragic earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010, noting that only a small fraction of pledges reached Haiti and their intended reconstruction purposes.
“We must see our commitment to Haiti through and let the circumstances continue to give us the kind of strength needed to persevere as we stride side by side in all our important and common activities,” he said.
At the ministry itself, steps are being taken toward greater capacity development, and in conjunction with programmes, staff are being afforded more opportunities for exposure and training.
“We are steadily continuing to expand our passport service, domestically, with the new capacity to issue electronically, Certificates of Identity – which will principally provide temporary status to persons born in The Bahamas, the use of a mobile unit to decentralise the passport application, and with the on-line appointment registration,” Mr Symonette said.
He also noted that the Immigration Department is looking to electronically merge work visas and work permits by early next year into one document. And, that the new website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs : www.bahamas.gov.bs can be accessed.
“Over the next while, you will have more constant and timely information on the overall programme and direction of The Bahamas as regards her international relations,” Mr Symonette said.
© Copyright 2010 by thebahamasweekly.com
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