It was a diplomatic Christmas affair for the Consular Corps of Barbados as they celebrated the festive season with a reception at Pom Marine Hotel last week.
Over cocktails at poolside, Selwyn Smith, Dean of the Consular Corps, Honorary Consul for The Bahamas, and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Brazilian Ambassador Appio Claudio Acquarone, mingled and chatted with other diplomatic representatives from about 24 countries based in Barbados.
Among them was the newest in the group, Guyana’s Consul General Michael Brotherson. It was also the first such occasion with the Consular Corps for Chinese Ambassador Xu Hong and for the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Barbados, Valeriano Diaz.
Captain Don Chee-A-Tow, Honorary Consul for France in Barbados, brought Christmas greetings from the World Federation of Consuls.
The service of four long-serving Consular Corps members – Hallam Edwards, Honorary Consul for Ecuador; Bernard Gilbert, Honorary Consul General for Israel; Keith Laurie, Honorary Consul for Haiti and Dr Trevor Carmichael, Honorary Consul for Mexico, were recognized with presentations.
Guest of honour Senator Maxine McClean in her brief remarks told the group: “It is clear that you continue to make a very important contribution to this country.”
