Grenada PM meets with Tony Blair in London

Grenada Prime Minister Mitchell greeted by British 
Prime Minister Tony Blair at Number 10 Downing Street

Wednesday, February 4, 2004

LONDON, England: Grenada Prime Minister Keith Mitchell met with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at Number 10 Downing Street on Monday afternoon.

Prime Minister Blair extended a warm welcome to Prime Minister Mitchell and wished him well in his third consecutive term in office.

Discussions focused on Grenada's economy and Government's plans for the future, as well as continued co-operation with the British Government. Areas of cooperation addressed by the two Prime Ministers included support for the Royal Grenada Police Force and the fight against the illegal drug trade, as well as HIV/AIDS and other social issues.

Later, Mitchell met with George Foulkes, MP, President of the Caribbean Britain Business Council (CBBC), to discuss the creation of a Friends of Grenada group consisting of parliamentarians and investors.

Mr. Foulkes hosted a dinner in the Prime Minister's honour, which was attended by CBBC Director Sue Monteath, business members of the CBBC, as well as Director of the Caribbean Council David Jessop. Prime Minister Mitchell and the guests discussed development plans of the Government of Grenada. 

The idea of the Friends of Grenada group was elaborated on and it was agreed that an investment team would visit Grenada soon to look at potential opportunities in the agro-processing, tourism and Information Communication Technology sectors.

Prime Minister Mitchell continued his visit in London Tuesday, meeting with Caroline Flint, Home Office Minister responsible for reducing organised and international crime, anti drugs co-ordination and international European issues.

The Prime Minister contended that the crime and drug issue must be confronted and there was a high demand for social services and education in this regard. Prime Minister Mitchell sought technical assistance for the continued modernisation of the Royal Grenada Police Force, as well as forensic science training, computerisation of the Ministry of Legal Affairs and assistance for a legal draftsman.

The Prime Minister presented Ms. Flint with a proposal for the above as well as assistance for the Young Offenders Facility at Bacolet.

Ms. Flint was happy to receive the proposal and committed a total of £25,000 towards the rehabilitation of the coast guard vessels in Grenada. These funds will be made available by the end of March 2004.

Following further discussion, the Prime Minister thanked the Home Office Minister for previous assistance in the area of drug interdiction and crime fighting and said he looked forward to further co-operation in the future.

The Prime Minister also met Gareth Thomas, Minister for the Caribbean, Department for International Development. Discussions focused on the Public Sector Reform Programme, debt forgiveness, technical assistance for forensic tax accountants, technical support for WTO negotiations and HIV/AIDS.

Mr. Thomas promised to review the requests made during the discussions and make a determination regarding the level of assistance to be disbursed.

The Prime Minister held private meetings with potential investors later in the day, noting that his visit to the United Kingdom was extremely successful and rewarding.

Mrs. Marietta Mitchell, Chairperson of the Grenada Hospital Fundraising Committee, held discussions with Dr Gareth Symons on the way forward for the Intensive Care Unit at the General Hospital. Dr. Symons visited Grenada in October last year and held discussions with the Ministry of Health officials on the matter.

The Prime Minister and Mrs. Mitchell will return to Grenada on Wednesday February 4, in time for the major events celebrating Grenada's 30th Anniversary of Independence.

  Back...

  Most popular articles: viewed, printed and e-mailed

  Printable version