Sister Islands Partnership

Memorandum of Understanding

Between

The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines

And

The Government of County of Dukes County, Massachusetts

To Support an Island to Island Partnership

The Government of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and the Government of Dukes County, Massachusetts agree to enter into an Island to Island Partnership with the desired goal of deepening a relationship and friendship by agreeing to explore, promote, and support exchanges and cooperative activities between the citizens of both islands. 

With the goals of cultural understanding and exchange, the two islands shall explore and develop opportunities to cultivate closer relations with one another through cooperative activities in the following areas:

Promote and facilitate consultation and technical exchange on fire prevention, security, citizen safety, readiness, management and training, emergency response, etc. 

Encourage and facilitate cooperative efforts on issues of mutual concern, such as:

Education, including possible exchanges of teachers and students

Library Operation and Management, including possible exchange

Economic Development and Tourism

Agriculture and Fisheries

Arts, Crafts and Culture

Share best practices and knowledge in all aforementioned areas.

This island to island framework enhances opportunities for linkages between the two islands, with the objective of ensuring that those initiatives are consistent with and complementary to the policies of the respective island governments, noting the principles of reciprocity, mutual respect, and mutual benefit: 

The Island participants affirm their determination to increase collaboration between their respective islands in all sectors of common interest and assert their readiness to consider new mechanisms to encourage such collaboration.

The Island participants intend to provide their support, where appropriate, to the efforts of their respective islands to engage with their counterparts in cooperative activities pertaining to areas of mutual interest.

The Island participants propose to meet at least once a year in SVG or on Martha’s Vineyard alternately or as otherwise requested by either Island.

General Provisions

This Memorandum of Understanding does not create rights or obligations under international or domestic law.

The Island participants intend to implement this Memorandum of Understanding upon signature. Either Island may, at any time, notify the other of its decision to discontinue implementation of this Memorandum of Understanding, but should endeavor to provide a three-month notice of such discontinuation.

This Memorandum of Understanding may be amended by the Participants in writing.

The Participants intend to address through direct consultations any difference of views regarding the implementation or interpretation of this Memorandum of Understanding.

Signed in duplicate this 27th day of September, 2014.

For the Island of Martha’s Vineyard:                                     For the Government of the

                                                                                                St Vincent and the Grenadines:               

______________________________                                    _________________________        

Martina Thornton                                                                    La Celia A. Prince

Dukes County Manager                                                          Ambassador

County of Dukes County                                                        St. Vincent and the Grenadines