Turks and Caicos Governor Peter Beckingham met with Dominican Foreign Minister Andres Navarro in Santo Domingo last week in the first high-level talks between the two countries in several years.
Turks and Caicos Minister of Border Control and Labor, Clara Gardiner, two Dominican Deputy Ministers, the head of the Navy and a team of officials also attended the meeting.
At the meeting, the Dominican Republic expressed a wish to open a full time consulate in The Turks and Caicos Islands and the governor agreed to discuss the request with the Prime Minister and Minister of Border Control on his return.
The two parties noted the increasing number of arrests of Dominican fishermen operating illegally within Turks and Caicos waters, and agreed to open a dialogue about the possibility of cooperation between the Dominican armada and Turks & Caicos police force to prevent this activity.
They also acknowledged the likelihood of illegal human trafficking between the two countries, and agreed to increase efforts to prevent this practice.
Both sides noted that there are potential opportunities for more trade between the countries, as well as in direct investment in the tourism and services sectors.
