Saint Lucia and Mexico are embarking on new initiatives that will see an exchange between the countries in the areas of agriculture, tourism, security, climate change, and artisan training.

These were just some of the opportunities discussed at a bilateral meeting during the visit to Saint Lucia this week by Mexico’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Luis Videgaray Caso.

Prime Minister Hon. Allen Chastanet hosted the meeting in the Cabinet Room at the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday, March 5, where the two countries set the tone for future joint action, especially as it relates to improving trade and investment.

Prime Minister Chastanet opened the discussions by welcoming the foreign minister and his team to Saint Lucia, and thanking Mexico for its continued support to Saint Lucia since diplomatic relations were established in 1979.

Also present at the meeting was the Minister with responsibility for External Affairs, Hon. Sarah Flood Beaubrun; the Minister for Economic Development, Hon. Guy Joseph; the Minister for Equity, Social Justice, and Empowerment, Hon. Lenard Montoute; Minister in the Ministry of Finance, Hon. Dr. Ubaldus Raymond; the Minister with responsibility for Investment, Hon. Bradley Felix; and the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, Elma Gene Isaac.

The Mexico contingent included Ambassador of Mexico to Saint Lucia, His Excellency Oscar Esparza Vargas; Vice Minister for Latin America and the Caribbean, Ambassador Luis Alfonso De Alba; and Executive Director of the Mexican Agency for International Cooperation for Development, Ambassador Agustin Garcia-Lopez Loaeza.

Prior to the meeting, HE Luis Videgaray Caso visited a Mexico-supported water treatment plant in the community of Dennery north. The Dennery Water Supply Redevelopment Project is aimed at providing residents with a reliable water supply and entails water intake construction, installation of storage tanks and pumping facilities and upgrades to the distribution network.

The administration is also looking to collaborate with Mexico on training for the Royal Saint Lucia Police Force and agro-processing. The group also discussed regional and multilateral issues such as disaster risk management and climate change.

The visit by the Mexican Foreign Minister stems from discussions by Prime Minister Allen Chastanet and a Saint Lucia contingent during an official visit to Mexico in October 2017.