Foreign Affairs Minister Holds Discussions with Chargé d’Affaires at US Embassy Barbados

Introduction

BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, April 7, 2025 (MMS-SKN) — On her first visit to St. Kitts and Nevis, Chargé d’Affaires in the U.S. Mission to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Mrs Karin B. Sullivan, took the opportunity to meet and hold discussions with the Federation’s Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Rt. Hon Dr Denzil L. Douglas, at his Port Zante office.

Background

Mrs Sullivan, who will be serving in the capacity of Chargé d’Affaires of the US Embassy until the selection of a successor ambassador to his Excellency Roger F. Nyhus (former ambassador), was in the country to attend the 2025 Regional Security System (RSS) Council of Ministers Meeting, whose opening was on Friday April 4.

Senior Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, et al. the Rt. Hon Dr Denzil Douglas, with Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Mission to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Mrs Karin B. Sullivan.

Discussions

“St. Kitts and Nevis is in the process of transitioning its economy, continuing since 2004 when we closed the sugar industry, and the United States Government has been a partner in transitioning the economy,” noted the Rt. Hon Dr Douglas, who is also the Minister of International Trade, Industry, Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Economic Development and Investment.

In their meeting, held late Friday afternoon at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs office in Port Zante, they discussed the up to US 300 million dollars Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) facility that the United States has made available to the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on November 25, 2024.

“We spoke of how this facility can be accessed for assisting in the transition of our independence on fossil fuel to the new and exciting renewable energy and clean energy, both geothermal and of course solar,” underscored Dr Douglas.

Conclusion

The Foreign Affairs Minister underscored that St. Kitts and Nevis was certain that with the continuing support from the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative that the country will be able to benefit in terms of strengthening its security apparatus, and its security infrastructure, with this important initiative that was launched some twelve years ago in Trinidad and Tobago.

“We believe that this visit was timely, and of course was quite successful,” said the Rt. Hon Dr Douglas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is the Chargé d’Affaires in the U.S. Mission to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean?

A: Mrs Karin B. Sullivan
Q: What was the purpose of the meeting between the Foreign Affairs Minister and the Chargé d’Affaires?

A: To discuss the up to US 300 million dollars Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) facility and other matters of mutual interest
Q: What is the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative?

A: An initiative launched by the United States to support the security apparatus and infrastructure of countries in the Caribbean region

L-R: Commander Steve Hulse, Senior Defence Official/Military Liaison Officer; Foreign Affairs Minister the Rt. Hon Dr Denzil Douglas; Chargé d’Affaires at US Embassy in Barbados, Mrs Karin B. Sullivan; and Mr Gabriel Knight, Political and Economic Officer.