New Japanese Ambassador arrives in Antigua

PM Bird (left) greets Ambassador Kato 
(Photo: Norman 'Gus' Thomas)

Saturday, November 8, 2003

ST JOHN'S, Antigua: Japan's newly accredited ambassador to Antigua and Barbuda, Mr Shigenobu Kato, met Friday with Prime Minister Lester Bird. Ambassador Kato arrived in Antigua Thursday and had other meetings with senior officials in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including permanent secretary, Ambassador Colin Murdoch; and Ambassador Daven Joseph.

Also on Friday morning the Japanese diplomat presented his credentials to the Governor-General, Sir James Carlisle, at Government House.

PM Bird interrupted a special meeting of the Cabinet to meet Ambassador Kato and to welcome him to Antigua and Barbuda. The ambassador stated that he would work diligently to strengthen bilateral relations between Antigua and Barbuda and Japan.

Mr Bird acknowledged that Japan was a major player in the world, and that Antigua and Barbuda would seek to influence the geo-political relationship both through CARICOM and at the bilateral level. He stated that relations were going well and that Antigua and Barbuda benefited in many ways.

The Prime Minister recognized the work of Ambassador Daven Joseph, Antigua and Barbuda's non-resident ambassador to Japan, who, in his view, had been instrumental in fostering beneficial relations between both countries. 

He spoke of the potential of the fisheries sector in the local economy, especially in the linkages to tourism, and the vital assistance that the authorities in Japan had provided. The Prime Minister expressed the gratitude of the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda for Japanese development assistance.

PM Bird mentioned that, coming out of the most recent visit of Ambassador Joseph and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Vere Bird Jr to Japan, there had been technical approval for two further fisheries projects, one in Barbuda and one in the Point.

Prime Minister Bird assured Ambassador Kato that Antigua and Barbuda would continue to work closely with Japan on many international, regional and bilateral issues.

  Back...

  Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed

  Printable version