Antigua and Barbuda says it continues to enjoy strong diplomatic and friendly relations with a number of developed and developing nations around the globe.
“I express on behalf of our government and our people, our gratitude to those countries that have contributed through loans, grants and technical assistance to our economic and social advancement. Among these countries are: the People’s Republic of China, Cuba, Japan, the Russian Federation, Venezuela, Canada, the United Kingdom, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, the Republic of Korea, India, New Zealand, the United States,” PM Browne said.
“I am honour-bound, to thank especially, the People’s Republic of China, because of its responsiveness to our needs, and the extent of its contribution to almost, all sectors of our economy and social development.”
The magnitude of the PRC support of Antigua and Barbuda was highlighted by Browne.
“The hundreds of millions of dollars provided by China in grants, technical assistance, and concessional loans, have supported; infrastructure, education, agriculture, healthcare, energy, national security, housing, sports and community development projects.
Prime Minister Browne reiterated how grateful his government, and the people of Antigua and Barbuda are to the significant support given by the PRC. Emphasizing how important the mutual respect is between both nations and the reliability of Antigua and Barbuda’s support.
Browne used the opportunity to expand on the nation’s basic foreign policy, highlighting that Antigua and Barbuda continues to extend the hand of friendship to all.
“I want to make it clear that Antigua and Barbuda adheres to the principles and precepts laid down by our nation’s founding father, Sir Vere Cornwall Bird Snr. On the day that we became a sovereign nation; he said this, to a Joint Session of Both Houses of Parliament:
“We extend the hand of friendship to all. But the hand of friendship should not be misinterpreted as an invitation to dictate our policies. We are determined to marry principle with practicality; we will try to fashion an approach that will, at the very least, advance our own development while contributing to global peace and well-being.”
These words, Prime Minister Bowne said, are the policies, principles and precepts his government maintains. However, Browne indicated “we will allow no one to dictate who our friends should be. We make no demands on others, nor do we disrespect them in any way.
“By the same token, we do not accept that we should be disrespected or that unreasonable demands should be made of us.
“We remain ready to work with all in a spirit of genuine cooperation, mutual trust, understanding and tolerance within the framework of international law, international norms and the principles laid down in the United Nations Charter, to which all nations are bound. That is the basis on which, as a small state, we preserve, protect and promote our sovereignty and our rights,” Prime Minister Browne added.
