Dominica establishes diplomatic relations with Qatar

Thursday, February 26, 2004

NEW YORK, USA: In an historic event in New York City on Wednesday, the Commonwealth of Dominica and the Gulf Arab State of Qatar, formally established diplomatic relations. At a short ceremony, Dominica's Ambassador to the United Nations, Crispin Gregoire and the Ambassador of Qatar to the United Nations, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser signed on behalf of their respective countries. 

The joint communiqué reads in part: "The Government of the State of Qatar and the Government of the Commonwealth of Dominica express their assurances that the establishment of diplomatic relations responds to national interests of both States and will consolidate the strengthening of international peace and cooperation."

The initiative to establish relations with Qatar was started by the late Prime Minister of Dominica, Rosie Douglas. In the last few months, however, Crispin Gregoire accelerated moves to formalize relations between the two countries.

The State of Qatar is a peninsula that extends northward along the west coast of the Arabian Gulf and includes several surrounding islands. Qatar borders Saudi Arabia to the south and occupies a strategic position in the Gulf. The State of Qatar is a small country in size but is richly endowed with natural resources including oil and natural gas. Its population is only 650,000 and has a GDP per capita of US$17,000.

The Government of Dominica is vigorously pursuing establishing diplomatic relations with a number of Arab States in the Gulf including Kuwait, United Arab Emirates, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Also present at the short ceremony in New York was Minister for Education, Human Resource Development, Sports and Youth Affairs, Vince Henderson.

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