Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie has been welcomed with opened arms during his first official overseas engagement since taking up leadership of the Territory.

Honourable Fahie is in Guadeloupe for a two-day meeting of the Heads of Government of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), at which Guadeloupe, the French overseas region, will be formally inducted as an associate member of the sub-regional grouping.

Premier Fahie met with the leaders over a special breakfast meeting early Thursday morning hosted by the President of the Regional Council of Guadeloupe, Mr. Ary Chalus.

The Virgin Islands Premier was congratulated by all the leaders for the victory of the Virgin Islands Party, expressing best wishes and hopes for closer co-operation between the various islands.

Honourable Fahie took the opportunity to personally thank the leaders for their show of solidarity and the assistance of their respective governments and people, especially following the Territory’s destruction by hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.

The OECS meeting will formally open on Thursday afternoon at which Premier Fahie is scheduled to speak alongside current Chairman and Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves.

Ahead of the meeting, Premier Fahie said, “The BVI delegation is looking forward to the deliberations at the meeting over the next two days, as we explore areas for close collaboration among the various Territories.”

He added, “It is the view of my government that we have to deepen collaboration with all the nations and islands in the Caribbean because we are clear that we have shared destinies, and that by working closer together, we can bring greater benefits to our respective peoples.”

Premier Fahie will return to the Territory on Saturday March 16. Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture Dr. the Honourable Natalio is acting as Premier in accordance with Section 55 (1) of the Virgin Islands Constitution Order, 2007.

Notes:

1.  Premier and Minister of Finance, Honourable Andrew A. Fahie greets and speaks with Prime Minister of St. Lucia, Allen Chastanet during the OECS Authority Welcome Breakfast Meeting. (Photo Credit: Bria Smith/GIS)
2. Premier Fahie talks with current Chairman and Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. (Photo Credit: Bria Smith/GIS)
3. Premier Fahie talks with 4th Vice President of the Guadeloupe Regional Council, Diana Perran and Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Gaston Browne. (Photo Credit: Bria Smith/GIS)