FLAG RAISING CEREMONY

On Tuesday 4th a Flag Raising Ceremony was held on the compound of the Prime Minister’s Office as a gesture of commemoration in celebration of the synergy between our dual state and Japan. This unity commenced from October 1982 and this year marks the Forty (40) years milestone of this unbroken diplomatic relationship. Raising the flags publicly was a positive signal of this union’s continuance supported by the rededication from both allies.

Akimoto Masatoshi, Parliamentary Vice Minster of Foreign Affairs, represented Japan and very graciously thanked the government and people of Antigua and Barbuda for the opportunity to visit and celebrate this momentous occasion.  In his native language he explained that this was his maiden trip since being elected to his new post and expressed great satisfaction for all the achievements this bilateral agreement afforded thus far and he anticipated more mutual benefits in the years ahead.

In his remarks, the Honourable Chet Greene, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Immigration and International Trade spoke highly of the benefits this bilateral agreement with Japan and encouraged his OECS and CARICOM counterparts to embark upon similar consideration.  Further, he outlined some of these benefits that were received through this collaboration during that period.  The minister made mention of several areas that were not restricted to only the agricultural sector or fisheries but in areas such as education both academics and vocational, health and in more recently a reverse osmosis plant.

Minister Greene concluded by thanking his predecessors for using their initiatives back then for this to be possible and commended Ambassador Daven Joseph for his dedication and hard work he performed for over two decades.

Also present for the ceremony were Agriculture/Fisheries Ministers from Republic of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.