Pakistan establishes formal diplomatic ties with St Lucia

(Web Desk) – Pakistan and Saint Lucia, a West Indian island country in the eastern Caribbean, formalized their diplomatic relations on Tuesday with a small ceremony at the Pakistan Mission to the UN.

Ambassador Munir Akram, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, and his counterpart from Saint Lucia, Ambassador Menissa Rambally, signed a joint communiqué on behalf of their respective governments, formalising diplomatic ties.

During the ceremony, Ambassador Akram stated, “Both countries have been cooperating at multilateral forums, including at the Commonwealth, stating that the establishment of formal relations would serve to expand bilateral ties, especially in the realms of trade, commerce, political cooperation and tourism.”

He stated that the people of Pakistan and Saint Lucia shared a passion of cricket.

“We look forward to a stronger people-to-people bond. “Both countries have enormous tourism potential that can be explored by tourists,” he stated.

Ambassador Rambally expressed her joy at the beginning of a new, yet significant, chapter in the two countries’ bilateral relations.

“Former West Indies great cricketer, Darren Sammy, who belongs to St Lucia, is also an honourary Pakistani citizen, “who would often talk about Pakistan and the friendliness of its people,” she said.

Rambally praised Ambassador Akram for hosting the ceremony, stating that she had personally “learned a lot from him”.

She claimed she was humbled by the Pakistan UN envoy’s statements on her country and people.

She stated that Pakistan and Saint Lucia already had a good connection and were actively cooperating in various venues, but that the formation of formal diplomatic relations would provide an opportunity to further strengthen the existing friendship.

The ceremony was attended by Ambassador Usman Jadoon, Pakistan’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Pakistan Mission staff, and a diplomat from Saint Lucia’s Permanent Mission.