Premier Brown: “We have a desire to
consolidate relations between the two countries, find new areas for bilateral
cooperation and increase mutual investments. There are about 2,000 Lebanese
citizens in Antigua and Barbuda”.
President of the Republic, General Michel Aoun, met
the Prime Minister of the State of Antigua and Barbuda, Mr. Gaston Alfonso
Brown, today at Baabda Palace.
President Aoun told PM Brown that Lebanon welcomes the
strengthening of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, especially in
the educational, cultural and tourism fields, in addition to the desire of many
Lebanese to invest in Antigua and Barbuda.
The President also affirmed his support for the
success of the student exchange program, noting the role played by the Lebanese
community in Antigua and Barbuda, especially with the presence of a group of
Lebanese students who are pursuing their studies in the universities of the
capital, St. John’s.
For his part, PM Brown expressed his happiness for
visiting Lebanon, the first of its kind since the establishment of diplomatic
relations between the two countries in 2017, and considered that the
appointment of an ambassador residing in Beirut reflects the importance the
government attaches to strengthening cooperation between the two countries.
Premier Brown pointed out that there are about 2,000
Lebanese citizens in Antigua and Barbuda, who play an important role in the
economy, education and tourism.
“We have a desire to strengthen relations between the
two countries and to find new areas for bilateral cooperation and in
international forums and to increase mutual investments, so it is necessary to
put in place investment frameworks and agreements to protect it, including
double taxation” PM Brown said.
Moreover, Premier Brown considered that “Cooperation
in the educational field is important because the educational level in
universities in Antigua and Barbuda is high, and there are Lebanese students
who have graduated from them or who are continuing their university education
so far”.
Finally, PM Brown thanked the President for his
support for his desire to activate relations, to hold meetings with specialized
Lebanese ministers, and to exchange visits.
The delegation accompanying PM
Brown included Housing, Land and Urban Regeneration Minister, Ms Maria Vanessa
Brown, Tourism and Investment Development Minister, Mr. Henry Charles Fernandez
and Mrs. Jill Elizabeth Fernandez, and the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to
Lebanon, Mr. Hanna Aker.
On the Lebanese side: Former Minister,
Salim Jreissati, General Director of the Presidency of the Republic, Dr.
Antoine Choucair, and advisers Rafic Chelala and Osama Khashab attended.