Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas will make his first official visit to Washington, the seat of the US government, and the White House on October 8, 2008. The Prime Minister says it will be an important opportunity to address the important relationship between the United States and the Caribbean in general and with Grenada in particular. “It’s a good opportunity to discuss cooperation between the United States and the region and off course Grenada. The issue of trade is an important one for us, so it will be one more opportunity to have our voices heard and further strengthen the relationship between neighbors,” Prime Minister Thomas said. According to the Office of the Press Secretary at the White House, President George W. Bush “looks forward to discussing a range of issues with Prime Minister Thomas, including our common commitment to the expansion of economic opportunities and the strengthening of democracy in the region.” Grenada, the report says is an “important friend of the United States..“ The report concluded that this visit, the first to Washington since Prime Minister Thomas' election, underscores the strong spirit of cooperation and friendship between the United States and Grenada. The relationship between Washington and Caribbean capitals will also be under spotlight when Prime Minister Thomas delivers the keynote address at the Inter-American Economic Council's Annual Heads of Government Dinner with the Caribbean Community. “As the Council continues its important work to strengthen the relationship between the United States of America and the Nations of the Caribbean, the Council is pleased to announce that Prime Minister Thomas of Grenada has accepted our invitation to deliver the keynote address at this year's Annual Heads of Government Dinner. This will be the Prime Minister's maiden speech in Washington since assuming office," according to Barry Featherman, President of the Council Previous speakers at this Annual event have included Patrick Manning, Keith Mitchell, Baldwin Spencer, Ralph Gonsalves, Bharrat Jagdeo, Ronald Venitiaan, Timothy Harris, Albert Ramdin, Compton Bourne, Edwin Carrington, Jose Miguel Insulza and Ewart Brown amongst a host of distinguished speakers at this event with Members of United States Congress. The Prime Minister, along with other regional leaders recently met with US secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during a visit to New York where he addressed the United Nations General Assembly. Contact: Press Secretary Office of the Prime Minister pmoffice@gov.gd