2018
Key Themes in 2018
2018 was a transitional year for Hon. E.P. Chet Greene, marked by his re-election as MP for St. Paul and immediate appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Immigration. He quickly assumed a prominent role in regional and international diplomacy, emphasizing the need for a harmonized CARICOM foreign policy, advancing Commonwealth matters, and strengthening bilateral ties. Key activities included participation in his first COFCOR meeting, engagements at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), a meeting with the UK Prime Minister, and high-level bilateral discussions (including with India on the margins of the UN General Assembly). He balanced these new international responsibilities with ongoing domestic duties as ABLP Chairman and constituency MP.
Ongoing throughout 2018 (post-March)
- Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade & Immigration
- Member of Parliament (MP) for St. Paul
- Chairman, Antigua and Barbuda Labour Party (ABLP)
- President, Antigua and Barbuda National Olympic Committee (ABNOC)
September 26
Held a bilateral meeting with India’s External Affairs Minister on the sidelines of the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Discussions focused on an extradition request and expressed interest in a future visit to India to study electoral processes.
7–8 May 7-8
Attended the 21st Meeting of the CARICOM Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) in Nassau, Bahamas. In his first COFCOR meeting as Foreign Minister, he emphasized the importance of harmonizing and coordinating foreign policy positions across CARICOM member states.
April 17
Attended a CARICOM delegation meeting with UK Prime Minister Theresa May at 10 Downing Street.
April 16-17
Participated in the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in London as part of Antigua and Barbuda’s delegation. Advocated strongly for the UK to address the issue of undocumented Caribbean migrants (pre-1971 Windrush generation) in the United Kingdom, describing it as a moral and ethical responsibility.
March 22
Appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Immigration by Prime Minister Gaston Browne.
March 21
Re-elected as MP for the St. Paul constituency in the General Election (defeated UPP challenger Gregory Athill).