Ambassador Jackson visits Brussels for the presentation of her Letters of Credence to His Majesty, the King of Belgium, 18 -21 April 2017
Ambassador Jackson visits Brussels for the presentation of her Letters of Credence to His Majesty, the King of Belgium, 18 -21 April 2017 On 19 April, 2017 Her Excellency Rhoda M. Jackson presented the Letters accrediting her as Ambassador of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the Kingdom of Belgium, to His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium, on Wednesday 19 April 2017. The ceremony took place at the Royal Palace in Brussels and on this occasion Ambassador Jackson had the opportunity for a private audience with King Philippe, the seventh king of the Belgians, who ascended the throne on 21 July 2013. Their discussion centred on matters of mutual interest between The Bahamas and the Kingdom of Belgium, primary among which were climate change and citizen security. In the context of her visit to Brussels, Ambassador Jackson also paid a courtesy call on H.E. Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, Apostolic Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Brussels on 19 April, 2017. The issue of development in Haiti featured in their discussion, as a priority interest for The Bahamas and in light of the work and experiences of the Archbishop in the region, during his previous postings to both Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago. Archbishop Augustine Kasujja is a national of Uganda and is the first native African Nuncio to have been appointed. Ambassador Jackson was hosted to dinner by Mr. Albert Jean Niels, Honorary Consul of The Bahamas in Belgium on the evening of 19 April 2017 and on 18 April 2017, Ambassador Jackson met with Ambassador Peter Van De Velde, Head of the Americas Region of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belgium. Their discussion highlighted the excellent bilateral relations which exist between The Bahamas and Belgium as well as the ongoing engagement of The Bahamas in the work of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP). On 20 April 2017, Ambassador Jackson attended a Diplomatic Corps reception, hosted by the King of Belgium at the Laeken Castle.
Photo 1 – Presentation of Letters of Credence by H.E. Rhoda M. Jackson to His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium
Photo 2 – H.E. Rhoda M. Jackson, following her private audience with His Majesty King Philippe of Belgium
Photo 3 – H.E. Rhoda M. Jackson pays a courtesy call on H.E. Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, Apostolic Nuncio and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps in Belgium; (L-R) H.E. Rhoda M. Jackson, Ambassador of The Bahamas to the Kingdom of Belgium, H.E. Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, Apostolic Nuncio; Ms. Sasha Dixon, Second Secretary
Photo 4 – H.E. Rhoda M. Jackson with Mr. Albert-Jean Niels, Honorary Consul of The Bahamas in Belgium at his newly opened restaurant ‘Au Grand Forestier’ in Brussels