North & Central America and Caribbean

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Last reviewed: 04 June 2009

Country information

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Relations with Neighbours

Prime Minister Gonsalves government has made Caribbean political integration a priority and he strengthened links between the OECS and Barbados, and with other members of CARICOM. Gonsalves holds the portfolio for bananas in CARICOM and travels widely in connection with this role.

Relations with the International Community

St Vincent and the Grenadines has open and good relations with the international community, it maintains close ties with the US, Canada and the UK. It has close relationships with Cuba and Venezuela. It also has diplomatic relations with the Republic of China (Taiwan) instead of with the People’s Republic of China, and in August 2008 established relations with Iran. It meets its international obligations but is often constrained by lack of resources. It is a reliable partner at the UN General Assembly and has ratified most international conventions.

Relations with the UK

Relations between the UK and St Vincent and the Grenadines are good. There are strong historic links between the two countries. Most internal institutions are based on the UK model and there are no proposals to change this.

Recent Inward Visits

Dr Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines, is a regular visitor to the UK - most recently as a speaker at the Oxford Union in October 2008.

Recent Outward Visits

Baroness Amos visited St Vincent and the Grenadines in March 2005. She met the Prime Minister. The Royal Family are frequent visitors to the island of Mustique, part of the Grenadines.