Your Excellency,
It is my great honour to present to You today the Letters of Recall of my predecessor as well as my Letters of Credence appointing me as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Commonwealth of Dominica.
Being stationed in Port of Spain this is my first official visit to Dominca. I am looking forward to contribute in the coming years to the further deepening of our bilateral relations as well as to the relations between our regions.
Globalization poses formidable challenges to our countries. To rise to these challenges we have to assure a close and constructive cooperation between states and regions. Many countries in Latin America as well as the Caribbean are actively involved in the current debates on climate change, the Millennium Development Goals, sustainable development or peace-building to name just a few issues which can only be dealt with by working closely together. The United Nations is the single most important player dealing with the most pressing problems and challenges. With the support of many countries in the region Germany was elected as non-permanent member of the Security Council in 2011 and 2012. We are ready to work closely with the states of the region.
In August 2010, Federal Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle presented the German Government’s new Strategy Paper on Latin America and the Caribbean.
The document focusses on Latin America and the Caribbean as a strong partner of Germany. We can take shared responsibility and cooperate closely, for example in the fields of climate protection and renewable energies. Tackling drug trafficking and organized crime are other tasks that can be shared.
Dominica has been a close partner in the implementation of several programmes Germany has developed with CARICOM in the area of renewable energies. German experts working with the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Programme have visited the island repeatedly as Dominica is developing its remarkable potential in this field. Hydroelectric as well as geothermal power will in the future not only meet domestic demand but will be a source of income as plans to export energy to Guadeloupe and Martinique are taking shape. Another regional initiative which I do hope Dominica will benefit from is the project ‘Management of Coastal Marine Areas in the Caribbean’ with the goal of reducing the effects of climate change in the region.
The region is a natural partner for us, we share values like the rule of law, democracy and human rights. And we share concerns like the effects of climate change. This is a solid base for an even closer partnership and a new level of quality in our relations. I am looking forward to working closely with the government of Dominica in the coming years.
Sounds good. Wish DNO could post a bit more about the project ‘Management of Coastal Marine Areas in the Caribbean’ with the goal of reducing the effects of climate change in the region.
Great!