On behalf of the Government of the United States, I congratulate the people of Saint Lucia on your 40th anniversary of independence on February 22.

The United States has enjoyed a longstanding and productive partnership with Saint Lucia. Today, entrepreneurship opportunities through exchange programs such as the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative and Youth Ambassadors Program underscore our ongoing commitment to partnering with future generations of inspiring St. Lucian leaders. Many of our Peace Corps Volunteers call your island “home” and are actively working with their counterparts to enhance literacy instruction and opportunities in primary schools. We look forward to continuing our partnership under the U.S.-Caribbean 2020 strategy to advance democratic principles, enhance regional security cooperation, and increase trade and investment in the Western Hemisphere.

Today, we wish the people of Saint Lucia a happy Independence Day with peace and prosperity throughout the year to come.