Diplomatic Week Begins Sunday

Some 23 non-resident Heads of Missions will arrive in the island this week for the 15th annual Diplomatic Week from February 3 to February 8.

They will join resident ambassadors, high commissioners and charge d’ affaires for a busy schedule of activities which will include ministerial briefings and exposure to Jamaica’s culture and cuisine.

Director of Protocol in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Patricia Rodney-Evering, told JIS News that of the overseas-based diplomats, 11 are newly appointed representatives from Portugal, Uruguay, Malaysia, Republic of South Korea, Indonesia, Zambia, the Netherlands, Norway, Bulgaria, Austria and Turkey.

They will be presenting their credentials to the Governor General, His Excellency, the Most Hon. Sir Patrick Allen, at a ceremony scheduled to take place at King’s House on Monday, February 4.

Mrs. Rodney-Evering said the letters of credence are usually presented early in order for the diplomats to “participate as fully accredited representatives of their countries”.

Diplomatic representatives are referred to as designates until they have formally presented their credentials to either the Governor General or the Prime Minister.

Diplomatic Week, celebrated since 1998, highlights the work of diplomats and their invaluable contribution to the cordial relations between states.