28th January, 2016, marked a new era in the relationship between the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis and the United States of America, as Her Excellency Thelma Phillip-Browne formally presented her Letter of Credence to the President of the United States of America, Barack Obama.
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis, consistent with its new mandate to deepen its relationship with the United States decided to depart from the previous practice and accredited Her Excellency Thelma Phillip-Browne to the United States given the herculean task of balancing the responsibilities of the Organisation of American States and advocating the Federation’s interests in the United States.
At the Credential Ceremony, Ambassador Phillip-Browne brought greetings from the Government and people of St Kitts and Nevis and highlighted the longstanding relationship between the United States and St Kitts and Nevis, noting that the people of St Kitts and Nevis consider the “United States to be a bastion of freedom and democracy, values which the citizens of St Kitts and Nevis hold dear to our hearts.”
In addition, Ambassador Phillip-Browne affirmed the Government’s commitment to diversification and, “economic sustainability…to encourage ingenuity and innovation, celebrate creativity and entrepreneurship…emphasise education as an exit door from poverty and an entrance to a better way of life.”
Further, Her Excellency re-iterated the Government’s commitment to preparing our youth to take advantage of a “globalised workplace in an era of genetics, nanotechnology and robotics…to equip them to achieve full actualisation of their God-given potential.”
In reply, President Barack Obama noted that he looked forward to working with her and the Government to “deepen the already close relations between our countries.”
The President highlighted the long history of “cooperation and mutual support” and a friendship between the countries based on familial and cultural ties, democratic values, human rights protection, the rule of law and a “commitment to improve the security and prosperity of our citizens and those in the Caribbean region.”
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis remains committed to ensuring the strengthening and deepening of the relationship with the United States of America which has existed since 1983. The United States has provided technical assistance to the Federation in several areas including capacity building of the security forces.