Castries – Argentina has donated 42 000 doses of vaccines to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) as the sub-region continues its battle to curb the spread of the virus that has killed more than 100 people and infected thousands of others since March last year.
“This collaboration is just a token of the historical friendship and positive relations between the Republic of Agentina and the Caribbean region. We share the same democratic values, and my government truly appreciates the support we permanently receive from our partners,” said Argentina’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Santiago Cafiero.
The AstraZeneca vaccines arrived on Wednesday and were immediately dispatched to four OECS member countries, namely Grenada, Dominica, and St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Lucia.
“International cooperation is the key to end the COVID-19 pandemic. Hence, the OECS has been working closely with multiple governments and organisations since the early stages of the health crisis, towards the achievement of this objective.
“I want to express our deep appreciation to the government and people of the Republic of Argentina for this generous donation that will assit the OECS member states in safeguarding the lives of their citizenery. Argentina has always been a reliable friend and partner,” said OECS Director General Dr Didacus Jules.
A statement issued by the OECS Commission here said that further to the vaccine donation, Argentina and the OECS have deepened cooperation in key development areas since the signing of a bilateral cooperation agreement in 2013.
“Indeed, multiple technical cooperation projects have been implemented in agriculture, public health, and the environment in Saint Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, and the other OECS member states,” the statement added. (CMC)
