North & Central America and Caribbean

Saint Lucia
Last reviewed: 9 February 2009

Country information

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Relations with Neighbours

St Lucia is a member of CARICOM and also of the sub-regional Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), whose Secretariat is in Castries. The UWP government has stated its commitment to deeper regional integration.

Relations with the International Community

Apart from the UK, only France, Venezuela, Cuba, Mexico, Brazil and Taiwan have resident diplomatic representation in St Lucia. All offer varying levels of assistance to the St Lucian government. Healthy relationships with, inter alia, the United States, Canada and Japan are managed remotely from regional diplomatic missions.

Relations with Taiwan were resumed in April 2007, following which China announced the suspension of relations with St Lucia.

Relations with the UK

The United Kingdom and St Lucia share an excellent bilateral relationship. Historical links are strong; many St Lucians have lived in the UK or have relatives there; and 80,000 British visitors holiday in St Lucia each year. The two governments work closely together in a number of areas with a focus on joint efforts to eradicate drug trafficking and abuse. In July 2008, Prime Minister Stephenson King attended the UK/Caribbean Ministerial Forum in London.

Recent Outward visits

The Duke of York visited St Lucia in February 2004 to participate in celebrations marking the 25th anniversary of independence. Home Office Minister Baroness Scotland visited St Lucia in May 2006 for talks with then Prime Minister Kenny Anthony and the Attorney General of St Lucia. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (UK Branch) visited in February 2006. The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall visited St Lucia in March 2008 as part of a regionial Caribbean tour promoting sustainable development, environmental protection, youth opportunity and education.