NASSAU, The Bahamas – The Bahamas welcomed the second Resident Ambassador from the Republic of Haiti, as both countries look to formalise agreements on agriculture and trade. In a ceremony at Government House on Thursday, October 14, 2010, His Excellency Sir Arthur Foulkes, Governor General accepted Letters of Credence from His Excellency Antonio Rodrigue, Ambassador of the Republic of Haiti to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
Ambassador Rodrigue replaced Ambassador Louis Harold Joseph, who served for the past eight years. A farewell reception was held Monday, October 4, 2010. Sir Arthur underscored the importance of diplomatic ties between The Bahamas and Haiti, which was established in 1977.
“The Bahamas values the cordial relations between our two countries and looks forward to a strengthening of our close relationship. The Bahamas and Haiti share longstanding and broad linkages founded on common aspects of our history,” Sir Arthur said.
It is for these reasons that The Bahamas will continue to ensure that the diplomatic, economic, social and cultural relations that bind both countries are further strengthened and consolidated, he said.
“As members of the global community and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), our two countries share many of the same challenges. At the same time, we have the highest aspirations for the development and protection of our societies and our world. To this end, we both recognise the importance of our active participation in multilateral fora,” Sir Arthur said.
He regarded Ambassador Rodrigue’s pledge to work arduously to strengthen the friendship and understanding between both countries as a testimony to the smooth transition in the formal conduct of relations as Haiti is engaged in national reconstruction following the January 12 earthquake.
“Your experience as a career diplomat and your direct familiarity with some of the major donors for your country and those with traditional ties to Haiti augur well for success in our multi-layered relations,” Sir Arthur said.
Ambassador Rodrigue, 56, said he was honoured to have been appointed the Ambassador of Haiti to The Bahamas.
“By entrusting upon me this great and important mission to the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, President Renè Prèval wishes thus to confirm the continuity and depth which characterises the ties uniting our two countries and our people,” he said.
Economically, he said both countries have the potential to develop commercial relations from which to benefit in these economic and financial crisis. To this end, the Bilateral Framework Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding for the Exchange of Agricultural Goods, which both governments are in the process of negotiating, once concluded, could contribute enormously to the cooperation between both countries, he said.
“I commit myself to working with fervour to bringing the ties of friendship between our countries even closer. I am certain that I will be able to count on your support and the support of the Government of The Bahamas in order to achieve this goal,” Ambassador Rodrigue said.
Ambassador Rodrigue is also Deputy Permanent Representative at the Permanent Mission of Haiti to the Organisation of American States in Washington, D.C He also served in Venezuela, at the United Nations in New York, in France and Switzerland.
Ambassador Rodrigue obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a major in International Relations; he studied Human Resources Management at University of Ottawa, Canada; Special Training at the Diplomatic Academy of Brazil; and pursued American Studies at the Academic Institute at Princeton University, New Jersey. Ambassador Rodrigue is married to Martha Sajous Rodrigue and has one child.
By Lindsay Thompson
Bahamas Information Services
