Washington DC, 27 September 2022 (TDI): The Prime Minister of Belize, John Briceno, and Foreign Minister of Belize, Eamon Courtenay met with US Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken.
Today, PM Briceño and FM Courtenay met with US Secretary of State @SecBlinken at the US State Department in Washington DC. The parties confirmed a mutual agenda to advance, inter alia, climate change, migration and strengthening democracy in the region. 🇧🇿🤝🇺🇲 pic.twitter.com/mSHebM8ZIA
— Belize MFAFT 🇧🇿 (@MFABelize) September 26, 2022
Remarks by US Secretary of State
US Secretary of State during the meeting remarked, “Belize is a strong partner for the United States in so many issues of mutual concern”.
He recalled the meeting that US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris had with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and their leaders at the Summit of the Americas.
The main points of this meeting were related to cooperation in the field of energy, food security, finance, and climate. In addition to this, Secretary Blinken appreciated Belize’s voice on global issues.
Remarks by Prime Minister of Belize
Prime Minister Briceno thanked Secretary Antony Blinken for inviting them to the US Department of State.
Furthermore, he seconded Secretary Blinken’s remark about cooperation in a number of fields and highlighted the importance of other issues that need to be discussed, particularly the issue of climate change.
Also read: US Chargé d’Affaires met Belizean FM
US and Belize relations
There have always been cordial and strong relations between the United States and Belize. A large number of Belizean diasporas are also situated in the United States.
The US is Belize’s largest trading partner as well. The security of Belize in terms of its governance, economy, and border, is also vital for the interest of the US in the region.
Both states have been working closely on certain areas of interest that include political and economic stability in Belize.
The US mainly focuses on strengthening democratic institutions and processes in Belize. Both countries are also working on combating the issue of transnational crimes like narcotics and human illicit trafficking.
This meeting between Secretary Blinken and Prime Minister Briceno affirms the commitment of both the states regarding the cooperation in discussed areas and enhancing the ties.
