Antigua and Romania establish diplomatic relations

Antigua and Romania establish diplomatic relations
Gov’t of Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda said on Monday, April 9 that it has established diplomatic relations with Romania.

An Antigua and Barbuda government statement said both countries signed a joint communiqué in this regard, on April 5, at the Permanent Mission of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations.

Dr. Walton Webson, ambassador and permanent representative of Antigua and Barbuda to the United Nations, and Ion Jinga, ambassador and permanent representative of Romania to the United Nations signed a communiqué.

“The communiqué now provides a framework for Antigua and Barbuda and Romania to begin exploring areas of mutual interest,” the statement said, adding that Webson “expressed his satisfaction with this step taken by the two countries, noting that the communiqué would allow for more bilateral interaction including in areas of agriculture, economic cooperation and education.

Jinga “signaled his government’s interest in having a mutually supportive relationship with Antigua and Barbuda,” the statement said.

It said the Romanian government will provide scholarships to nationals of Antigua and Barbuda to study in Romania beginning in fall 2018.

Areas of study include medicine, pharmaceutical studies and public administration, the statement said.

It said the establishment of diplomatic relations with Romania is “part of the wider thrust of the government of Antigua and Barbuda to pursue new partnerships with the aim of advancing the country’s economic growth and development.”

The statement said Romania is a candidate for a non-permanent seat of the UN Security Council for the term 2020-2021, with elections to be held at UN headquarters in New York in 2019.