The Permanent Mission of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to the United Nations is pleased to announce that, on Friday, 28 September 2007, in New York, the Hon. T. Brent Symonette, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas signed a Joint Communiqué establishing formal diplomatic relations between The Bahamas and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

The Joint Communiqué, which was also singed, on behalf of the Government of Luxembourg by H.E. Mr. Jean Asselborn, Vice-Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Luxembourg, states that the Government of Luxembourg and the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, desirous of promoting relations of friendship and cooperation in conforming with the interest and desire of the two peoples, have decided to establish diplomatic relations between the two countries as of 28 September, 2007, in accordance with the provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 18 April 1961.

The Joint Communiqué emphasizes the two Governments have agreed to develop friendly relations and cooperation between the two countries on the basis of the principles and the objectives enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations and the norms of International Law.

Luxembourg has a parliamentary form of government with a constitutional monarchy by inheritance. Situated in the heart of Western Europe, it spans an area of 2,585 sq. km. and a population of 459,500, slightly larger than that of The Bahamas. The Capital city is Luxembourg City with a population of 76,600. The country’s GDP stands at $36.5 billion, with a per capita income of $69,527, among the highest in Europe. Among its principle natural resources are iron, ore and timber; and its economy revolves around the Services (banking and financial services predominate), Industry and Trade sectors. In 2005, exports totaled $12.97 billion, with imports accounting for $18.04 billion. The country’s economy is aptly described as the "Green Heart of Europe" in tourist literature, its pastoral land coexists with a highly industrialized and export-intensive economy. Luxembourg enjoys a degree of economic prosperity almost unique among industrialized democracies. Political stability, good communications, easy access to other European financial centers, skilled multilingual staff, and a tradition of banking secrecy have contributed to the growth of the financial sector which makes up 11% of the country’s total labor force.

In matters of foreign affairs, Luxembourg has long been a prominent supporter of European political and economic integration. Luxembourg is a signatory of the Charter of the United Nations signed on 26^th June 1945, in San Francisco and is actively engaged in the work of the Organization and its specialized agencies. The Government has submitted its candidature for a non-permanent seat on the Security Council for the term 2013-2014, which will be the first time seeking a seat on that body. Luxembourg is a member of the Benelux Economic Union and was one of the founding members of the European Economic Community (now the European Union); and is the site of the European Court of Justice, the European Court of Auditors, European Investment Bank, and other vital EU organs.

28^th September 2007, New York