St Kitts & Nevis, led by the country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Economic Development and Investment, Dr. Denzil Douglas, is actively seeking to expand its diplomatic reach beyond North America and Europe into the Middle East.

During a recent press conference with Cabinet Ministers on July 13, Dr. Douglas highlighted the Federation’s commitment to progressing St Kitts & Nevis as a sustainable island state. He emphasized the importance of establishing and strengthening relationships with countries and international organizations to receive the necessary support and collaboration.

To achieve this, St Kitts & Nevis recently established diplomatic ties with the Republic of Ireland for the first time in history. This move allows the Federation to have representation within the European Union, addressing matters of concern to St. Kitts and Nevis and the European economic and trading bloc.

Dr. Douglas expressed the desire to expand diplomatic presence in the Middle East. Currently, the Federation has an embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Abu Dhabi, and they are exploring opportunities to consolidate their presence, not only at the diplomatic level but also in terms of business, particularly in Dubai, which is the center of economic activity in the UAE.

Furthermore, St Kitts & Nevis aims to strengthen relationships in other countries in North Africa, including the Kingdom of Morocco, to solidify its position in the region and explore investment opportunities. The Federation plans to partner with Saudi Arabia and Qatar, recognizing the intense competition among the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, and aims to establish firm relationships with these two countries.

“This is going to be pursued vigorously over the next few weeks,” he said.