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St. Lucia Establishes Diplomatic Relations with Poland

Contact: John Emmanuel

Wednesday, May 29, 2002 - The Republic of Poland is St. Lucia’s newest diplomatic partner. On Tuesday, May 28 Poland’s first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to St. Lucia His Excellency Gabriel Beszlej presented his letters of credence to Her Excellency Governor General Dame Pearlette Louisy at a brief ceremony at Government House.

Ambassador Beszlej who is based in Mexico, noted that the new relationship would hopefully lead to institutional collaboration in many fields including the economic sphere. Poland, he said, is looking forward to the exchange of information in culture, science and education. “Poland is a country where the changes that led to the fall of the Berlin Wall began, followed by political and democratic transformation as well as the introduction of the free market economy in Central and Eastern Europe. Poland is also a country very much open to the development of relations with all the countries of the world, among them with those of the Caribbean region,” said Ambassador Beszlej. He added that Poland was also interested in developing relations with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), the Eastern Caribbean Common Market and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).

By year’s end, Poland is planning to conclude negotiations for joining the European Union (EU) that will hopefully lead to greater opportunities for cooperation and trade with St. Lucia, the Caribbean and Latin America. St. Lucia’s Governor General, Dame Pearlette Louisy echoed the Ambassador’s desire for deeper cooperation among the world’s regions. “I listened with interest to your country’s progress in your negotiations to join the European Union and to your commitment to inter-regional cooperation. This commitment mirrors our own initiatives in the Caribbean to foster dialogue among the peoples of the region and closer collaboration between our region and other international communities. I am pleased that we have found in Poland an ally and a friend”.

As efforts continue here at transforming and diversifying the economy, St. Lucia is also hoping to benefit from Poland’s accomplishments in the fields of agriculture, tourism and informatics. Sixteen years ago St. Lucia welcomed yet another distinguished Polish national in the person of Pope John Paul II.

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