The Minister described his meeting with the delegation from Israel, and discussions with Yerzhan Ashikbayev, Deputy Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan and Kazakh Ambassador to the US, Kairat Umarov, as steps towards solidifying strategic partnerships between St. Kitts-Nevis and the two countries.

“We discussed closer relations with Kazakhstan including their invitation to St. Kitts and Nevis to attend an international event next year in their country featuring renewable energy as the theme. We also discussed their ambitions to become a member of the UN Security Council in 2017 and visa waiver status for peoples of our two countries,” Brantley outlined.

The meeting with the Israelis focused on their offer of bilateral assistance to St. Kitts and Nevis in agriculture and tourism, and support in international forums of core critical issues for the Federation such as climate change and developmental aid.

Minister Brantley also took the opportunity to raise the issue of visa waiver for St. Kitts and Nevis citizens to visit Israel.

Hon. Brantley with Kobsak Chutikul, Special Envoy of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

Both governments extended invitations for the SKN Foreign Affairs Minister to visit their countries.

Another key bilateral engagement for the Minister was with Kobsak Chutikul, Special Envoy of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand.

“We discussed Thailand’s request for support for its bid to sit on the UN Security Council as well as their desire to assist St. Kitts and Nevis in areas of tourism and hospitality training. I raised the issue of visa waiver with them and feel they are amenable to an arrangement in that regard,” Brantley revealed.