Guard of Honour for presentation of credentials only |15 July 2004

This new style of reception has seen the addition of a red-carpet welcome and a salute by a 14-member Guard of Honour as the envoy enters State House to meet the President of the Republic.

"We have decided to improve on the way the ceremony to present credentials takes place, bringing it more in line with what is being done internationally," a Foreign Affairs spokesman said.

"An ambassador represents his country and his president and we have decided to improve the credentials presentation ceremony to make it more memorable and attractive," he said.

The ceremony will not apply for other official visits the envoys make to State House after they have presented their credentials.

The first ambassador to enjoy the new red carpet welcome and salute by the Guard of Honour was His Excellency Ajay Bramdeo of South Africa when he presented his credentials to President James A. Michel at State House on Tuesday.