Bilateral Agreement signed
Barbados has signed a Bilateral Agreement of Technical Co-operation with the Argentine Republic.
That agreement has marked the first time that the two countries, which this year are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations, have joined ties in such a way. The signing took place yesterday morning at the Accra Beach Resort during the opening ceremony of the Argentine-Caribbean Regional Co-operation Workshop.
Speaking moments before signing the agreement alongside Ambassador of the Argentine Republic to Barbados Gustavo Pandiani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Maxine McClean, said the aim is to promote technical Co-operation in areas of common interest between the two countries through the exchange of technical expertise and people-to-people exchanges.
Minister McClean said the agreement also seeks to bolster public-private partnerships and capacity building of institutions and personnel. To that end, she is confident that it will serve as a critical tool to enhance the technical Co-operation efforts and solidify overall bilateral relations between the two countries.
“Since Barbados and Argentina established diplomatic relations in 1968, technical Co-operation has been the hallmark of our relationship. I am pleased to say that with the re-opening of the Argentine Embassy in Bridgetown in 2013, there has been a steady increase in bilateral engagements between our countries and a marked enhancement of collaboration and Co-operation between Bridgetown and Buenos Aires. The stage is also set for Barbados and Argentina to further deepen its relations as more cultural Co-operation and exchanges are being explored,” she said.
Her comments came as she spoke of the technical assistance Argentina has given to Barbados in the area of agriculture, particularly with respect to the fisheries and dairy sectors. She spoke glowingly of that help, which she explained has seen the fishing community putting what they have learnt into practice. With that in mind, she revealed that her Ministry and the Argentine Embassy have engaged in discussions surrounding the importance of developing agro-businesses as a “formidable avenue for entrepreneurial activity”.
“This would serve to stimulate the economy while strengthening national and regional efforts to improve food security. The ability to feed your populations is a priority of all governments,” she affirmed.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Pandiani made it clear that the Technical Co-operation Agreement will not be “empty words”. In fact, he told the gathering that there will be tangible results seen through the various projects which his embassy intends to roll out during the course of this year, as efforts are made to mark the golden jubilee.
“I am pleased to announce that the Embassy’s cultural agenda for the 50th anniversary celebration includes an Argentine Film Festival at the Errol Barrow Centre for Creative Imagination at the University of the West Indies from July 9 to 11 [and] the first ever performance by an Argentine singer at both Pan Fusion and Pan Pun De Sand during Crop Over,” he said.
Ambassador Pandiani said that his embassy has also decided to partner with the National Cultural Foundation, and will for the first time, make their national dance Tango a part of the upcoming Crop Over Festival. According to Pandiani, on August 4 and 5, 2018, they will offer a series of Tango shows and Tango clinics at Bridgetown Market. He said though it is a “risky” endeavour, he is confident that it will be a hit with persons.
Additionally, he indicated that from August 10 to 11, the embassy will host a play, directed by an Argentine playwright at the Frank Collymore Hall. (JRT)