In a ceremony held at the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission headquarters in Castries, Saint Lucia, on August 18, 2025, Her Excellency Gabriele Méon-Tschürtz, Ambassador of Austria to the OECS, presented her Letter of Credence to the OECS Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules. Heads of missions and institutions accredited to the OECS were also present and congratulated the ambassador on her appointment.
In her remarks on the occasion, Ambassador Méon-Tschürtz said,
“Austria cherishes its relations with the Caribbean and has contributed to programmes also benefitting OECS countries in the framework of SIDS, CARICOM, and the European Union third country cooperation, with a special focus on sustainability, clean energy, and disaster management. Austria is interested in intensifying links with the Caribbean, the OECS being a particularly important partner and stable anchor in this respect.”
She also discussed the upcoming opportunities in the short term that Austria and the OECS have collaborated on designing. These include a seminar for young diplomats organised by the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna in autumn this year, and the proposed establishment of a CARICOM office, which will facilitate contact with OECS and OECS countries with Vienna-based United Nations agencies.
In welcoming Ambassador Méon-Tschürtz, Dr Didacus Jules remarked,
“This ceremony is never a mere formality. It is a renewal of trust, a pledge of friendship, and a confirmation that even in an era of turbulence, nations near and far still choose dialogue over distance. Your engagement embodies a simple truth that multilateral relations must be preserved, not because they are convenient, but because they are indispensable to a safer and more just world.”
In addition to Austria’s contributions to diplomacy training in the OECS, Dr. Jules highlighted the country’s support of regional efforts on renewable energy and energy efficiency, which will facilitate the OECS Commission’s commitment to lowering energy costs, enhancing energy security, and reducing emissions. Austria, he noted, has also contributed significantly to the OECS’ climate change and disaster resilience work programme.
Immediately following the ceremony, a meeting was held between the Ambassador and senior officials of the Commission to discuss possible areas for future cooperation. These included expanding diplomatic training to encompass cyber and digital policy, the blue economy, governance, and development finance. With regard to energy and climate risk, discussions centered on opportunities for building on the regional energy momentum through knowledge transfer, especially in technology.
The meeting also explored the scope for exchanges in agriculture, sustainable tourism, and health partnerships through training, emergency logistics, and research, particularly in climate-sensitive aspects.
The OECS has enjoyed formal diplomatic relations with Austria since 2012.