PM attends high-level talks in Washington DC

Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley met with Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris on Wednesday of this week, for a high-level meeting with key officials at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington DC.

Whilst there, Prime Minister Mottley spoke of the “strong leadership” between the two countries, whilst acknowledging that the United States and the region face common threats as well. She therefore highlighted the need to work together on issues such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the current climate change crisis, security threats and promoting prosperity.

Mottley meanwhile thanked the US Vice President for her country’s donation of COVID-19 vaccines, which she described as timely.

"I'd like to thank on behalf of, not just Barbados, but the Caribbean community, the donations made by the government and people of the United States of America with respect to the vaccines," Mottley commented.

“They were timely…. Hopefully, we will receive the others soon.  This battle is real for us in the Caribbean….  We’re conscious that there has to be vaccine equity across the world because, if not, we run the risk, as has happened with Delta and with other mutations, of other mutations coming to bear,” she further pointed out.

Vice President Kamala Harris acknowledged that the US had already donated over a million doses of vaccine to the region, with a promise to give another three million.

The Vice President, in her remarks, also stressed the importance of the US and CARICOM relationship, indicating that efforts will be made by her administration to strengthen these ties.

“I truly believe our world is interconnected and interdependent more so than ever before, as highlighted by most recent events, including the pandemic, but also as highlighted by one of the greatest crises we face as a globe, which is the climate crisis,”  Harris remarked.

“Our conversation today (Wednesday) will, I believe, cover a number of these issues, including not only what we must do in the short-term, but the potential that our relationship has in the long-term, to address these issues in a way that has positive impact for the people of our two countries,” the Vice President stated.