CASTRIES, St Lucia (CMC) – The Commission of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), has congratulated Dr Godwin Friday, the Prime Minister-elect of St Vincent and the Grenadines following his decisive victory in the recent general election.

“We commend the people of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines for exercising their democratic right through a peaceful electoral process,” the OECS said in a statement on Saturday.

Friday succeeds Dr Ralph Gonsalves, who served as Prime Minister from 2001 and has long been a respected voice within and beyond the region.

“Under Prime Minister Friday’s leadership and the new government’s mandate, the OECS looks forward to renewed collaboration grounded in shared regional values of solidarity, sustainable development, and good governance. We stand ready to cooperate closely with the new administration in advancing policies and initiatives that strengthen St Vincent and the Grenadines and the entire Eastern Caribbean region,” the commission stated.

It added that, “We express our sincere gratitude to outgoing Prime Minister Gonsalves for his years of service and contributions to regional cooperation and integration, and we welcome Prime Minister Friday and his Cabinet into the OECS family. We offer our best wishes for success in their stewardship of the nation.”