ST JOHN’S, Antigua, (CMC) – Antigua and Barbuda Foreign Affairs Minister, EP Chet Greene says his country must not neglect the importance of nurturing the existing relationships with Europe, China and the United States.

Addressing the “Diplomatic Encounter” which enters its second day on Friday, Green said also it was necessary for St John’s to broaden its diplomatic footprint particularly in key regions such as Africa, Central and South America and India.

“The expansion of our relationships in these areas is not a mere ambition but a necessity. The African continent, with its vast resources and emerging markets, presents a wealth of opportunities that we must seize,” he told the Antigua and Barbuda diplomats.

Green said that the relationships Antigua and Barbuda cultivates with Central and South American nations are equally crucial.

“These partnerships can facilitate mutual growth in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and natural resources, fields where Antigua and Barbuda can learn and collaborate to propel our own economic agenda forward.

“Additionally, the potential partnership with India, particularly in technology, education and sustainable energy, holds transformative promise for our nation’s future.”

But he told the conference that he is not suggesting that the Caribbean country neglect the importance of nurturing its existing relationships with Europe, China and the United States.

In recent years, the Caribbean relationship with China, has come under the scrutiny, particularly with the United States questioning Beijing’s sincerity in the region.  Earlier this month, Prime Minister Gaston Browne said that the fight between the two countries is not St John’s concern, adding “all we want is cooperation in the interest of our survivability, so that our people can thrive and have good living standards”.

He said Antigua and Barbuda will continue to engage with both global powers based on economic and developmental needs rather than political alignments.

In his address, the Foreign Affairs Minister said that each region plays a pivotal role in “our economic landscape, presenting us with avenues for investment, infrastructure development and collaboration in resilience against climate change and disasters.

“I encourage us to draw inspiration and encouragement from the words of Winston Churchill “To each, there comes in their lifetime a special moment when they are figuratively tapped on the shoulder and offered the chance to do a very special thing, unique to them and fitted to their talents.” This moment is ours, and we must seize it with resolve.”

Green said equally paramount is the country’s commitment to multilateralism, saying this invaluable mechanism allows small island developing states like Antigua and Barbuda a voice in the international arena and a seat at the table.

“In an interconnected world, multilateral frameworks such as the United Nations, Caricom and OAS (Organisation of American States) enable us to collaborate with larger nations, amplifying our concerns and perspectives. By uniting with others through these platforms, we can address critical issues that disproportionately affect small island states, advocating collectively for climate action, sustainable development and health security.”

Green said that he is urging the local diplomats to “align with the aspirations and needs of our citizens, reflecting priorities that include sustainable development, healthcare access, education and the preservation of our cultural heritage.

“Our foreign policy must be an embodiment of our Caribbean civilisation and our shared ambition of resilient prosperity. We look forward to hosting the OAS General Assembly later this year and the Commonwealth Heads next year.”

He said these diplomatic engagements, like the SIDS Conference last year, “serve important imprints into the international diplomatic tapestry of our small islands contribution to global civilisation”.