ST. VINCENT- The new government holds talks with foreign diplomats.

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent, CMC – Less than a month after winning the November 27 general elections, the New Democratic Party (NDP) administration has met with Kingstown-based diplomats, including the Taiwan ambassador, despite the party’s previously stated position that, if elected to office, it would sever ties with Taipei.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines is among a handful of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries that enjoy diplomatic relations with Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province and has insisted that all countries adhere to its “One China” policy.

In August 2016, then-NDP president and opposition leader Arnhim Eustace announced that, if elected, the NDP would switch diplomatic recognition to China.

Prime Minister Dr. Godwin Friday, who replaced Eustace as NDP president in November 2017, has not announced any change in the party’s position, even as it has repeatedly hinted that it would maintain the diplomatic ties.

Friday was sworn in as prime minister on November 28, and the Resident British High Commissioner, Geoffrey Patton, was the only foreign diplomat at the event.

Prime Minister Friday later told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that this was “just a matter of logistics,” given the short time available to plan the ceremony.

He said the intention was to have all diplomats at the swearing-in of the Cabinet on December 2, and the Taiwanese Ambassador, Fiona Huei-Chun Fan, was among those who attended.

Last week, the Office of the Prime Minister announced on its social media page that Prime Minister Friday met with Fan on December 12 and other diplomats “to discuss various matters touching and concerning the way forward for St. Vincent and the Grenadines with the generous assistance from both nations”.

The government has not made any statement about Kingstown-Taipei ties, even as the now opposition Unity Labour Party (ULP) which was seeking an unprecedented sixth consecutive term in office, had suggested during the election campaign that Kingstown would switch its diplomatic recognition to Beijing, as Chinese nationals sought access to Vincentian passports through the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme proposed by the NDP.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Friday and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment and Diaspora Affairs, Fitzgerald Bramble, held talks with the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the United States to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Karin Sullivan,

“The meeting offered an opportunity for Ms. Sullivan to extend congratulations to the newly elected Prime Minister and to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to continued strong and constructive bilateral cooperation,” according to a statement issued afterwards.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment and Diaspora Affairs anticipates deepening the longstanding partnership between St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the United States, with a shared focus on advancing mutual prosperity, security, and the well-being of both nations and their peoples.”

Bramble has also received courtesy calls from Carlos Ernesto Rodríguez Etcheverry, the Cuban ambassador, and Ana Lélia Benincá Beltrame, the Brazilian diplomat.

A press release said that during discussions with Etcheverry, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the enduring bilateral relationship between Kingstown and Havana.

Bramble underscored his interest in pursuing new opportunities to expand investment and trade, while further enhancing cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations.

The talks with Beltrame provided an opportunity to extend congratulations to Bramble on his appointment and to exchange views on ongoing initiatives, with both sides exploring potential areas for deeper collaboration.

Meanwhile, Bramble says the new administration will assign to the country’s diplomatic missions “staff who are not only qualified, but who can be trusted to implement the policies of our government.

“Our new administration will continue to reflect on our participation in regional and multinational organisations with a view to reaffirming our commitments in the interest of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” Bramble said in a statement published on his ministry’s Facebook page.

Bramble said the government is resolute in its efforts to work with member countries in the regional and international sphere to build and secure the best environment for the development and advancement of national and regional interests and well-being.