Gerard Cools-Lartigue appointed Honorary Consul General to Japan at a ceremony on Monday June 27

Gerard Cools-Lartigue was appointed as the Honorary Consul General to Japan. This took place at a ceremony on Monday June 27, 2016 at the Fort Young Hotel in Roseau. Ambassador of Japan to Dominica, Mitsuhiko Okada spoke at the function, and informed that the process to appoint an Honorary Consul to Japan in Dominica, began back in 2014.
 
“This evening, thanks to the kind cooperation and support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & CARICOM Affairs, I am pleased to introduce Mr. Cools-Lartigue as the appointed Honorary Consul General to Japan.” Ambassador Okada added that Cools-Lartigue has made valuable contributions, both in the private and public sector in Dominica, and he is confident that he will work diligently to further deepen the relationship between Dominica and Japan.
 
Cools-Lartigue also addressed the ceremony. He said it was an honor to be selected as the Honorary Consul to Japan, and that he looks forward to visiting that country again in the future. He said, “I humbly accept the position as Honorary Consul General, and I will do my outmost to ensure that whatever I am called upon to do, is successfully completed”.
 
Meanwhile Minister for Foreign & CARICOM Affairs, Francine Baron noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Dominica and Japan in 1978, relations between the two countries have developed significantly. She said Cools-Lartigue installation is the first Honorary Consul General to Japan in Dominica has “deep significance” for bilateral relations between both countries.
 
Baron stated “As of today, Japan will have official representation in the Commonwealth of Dominica in the person of Mr. Gerard Cools-Lartigue”.