From left to right: Dr. the Honourable Timothy Harris, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis; the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada and the Honourable Allen Chastanet, Prime Minister of St. Lucia during a meeting in Ottawa, Canada on matters pertinent to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) on Wednesday, September 27, 2017. Photo: Provided

The wide-ranging discussion held in the Canadian Prime Minister`s Parliament Hill office covered de-risking, correspondent banking, Small Island Developing States (SIDS) like those in the OECS and the process called graduation, which has implications for borrowing rates extended to SIDS. Canada`s advocacy for small states in multilateral fora was also discussed by the leaders, along with trade, investment and tourism between the OECS and Canada, as well as opportunities to increase people-to-people contact through educational programs and cultural exchanges.

Prime Minister Trudeau pledged Canada`s long-term support, particularly with respect to assisting in the aftermath of the Category 5 hurricanes that recently devastated the Eastern Caribbean.  Canada’s Prime Minister further noted that his country will continue to take a leading role in ensuring that climate change remains at the top of the international agenda.

During their discussion, the three leaders agreed that the 2018 Canadian presidency of the G7, which comprises the seven richest economies in the world, and the hosting of the 2018 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) by the United Kingdom, which will welcome leaders from all 52 member countries, provide an opportunity to make meaningful change across a host of socio-economic issues.

Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada acknowledged the Canadian-Caribbean relationship as a pivotal partnership in the Western Hemisphere and committed to work with Prime Ministers Harris and Chastanet, as well as with their colleagues in the Caribbean, for the mutual benefits of their citizens and countries.