Guyana’s relationship with the United Kingdom has allowed it to benefit from some valuable assistance in numerous fields. This is according to President David Granger who further vowed that the two countries will remain strategic partners.
The President was at the time speaking at a reception hosted by the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr Greg Quinn, at his residence on the occasion of the 93rd birth anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“Our relations are founded on five principles. Those are mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs; mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty; cooperation for mutual benefit; respect for international law and treaties; and the maintenance of international peace and security,” said President Granger.
He added, “Britain remains a strategic partner of Guyana…has provided valuable assistance to Guyana in the fields of agriculture, aquaculture, culture, disaster-relief, education, economic competitiveness, governance, investment, law enforcement, trade, water supply, and, very particularly, reform of the judicial service, public sector, and security sector.”
He also noted that Guyana has dedicated the Konashen Protected Area, located in the Rupununi Region and spanning an area of almost 7,000 square kilometres, to the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy and this has demonstrated Guyana’s willingness to take practical steps to ensure the preservation and protection of the environment.
Moreover, the Head of State said that “Guyana iterates its appreciation to the United Kingdom for its unwavering support for our sovereignty and territorial integrity, for its generous debt relief, and for the anticipated benefits under the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund. We are confident that the strong ties which exist between our two States will be strengthened in the years ahead.”
The President brought to the fore too that British assistance, during the tenure of the High Commissioner, has touched the hinterland and coastland, the public and private sectors, and non-governmental organisations. Guyana, he added, looks forward to continued collaboration with Britain for the protection of the environment, the promotion of security, and the development of the economy through enhanced investment and trade between the two countries.
President Granger also publicly expressed Guyana’s appreciation to the High Commissioner and staff of the British High Commission for their hard work and commitment to the development of Guyana-Britain relations. “I assure you that your energetic efforts over the years have borne fruit and their effects will be evident long after you have gone,” he noted.
Meanwhile, High Commissioner Quinn in his remarks echoed these sentiments as he too noted that the two countries have made great strides over the past years. Among the successes he highlighted is the establishment of ties between the City of Aberdeen and the City of Georgetown.
“Guyana is on the cusp of unparalleled wealth. We have worked here with our friends across a wide range of political, economic, and cultural issues. What I would like to highlight, however, is that in the last year we have cemented the links between Aberdeen and the City of Georgetown. All of this is designed to help Georgetown learn from the good and the bad of dealing with oil and gas. We have also made links between the United Kingdom and Guyanese businesses not just in oil and gas, but retail, consumer goods, services, and other skills and I look forward to heading a team from Guyana to Aberdeen in August,” he noted.
The event included the sticking of the ‘birthday cake’ and was attended by ministers of the government, members of the National Assembly, and other members of the diplomatic corps.
