Guyana, Brazil reaffirm pledge on closer ties
GUYANA and Brazil have reaffirmed their commitment to forge closer ties with each other. The Guyanese Head of State, Mr Bharrat Jagdeo gave the undertaking, saying it is part of the policy to establish stronger links with this country's neighbours in South and Latin American. Addressing a reception to mark the 177th Independence Anniversary of Brazil, he said this country looks forward to an era of fruitful cooperation based on several bilateral relations. And Brazil's Ambassador here, Mr Claudio Lyra said his nation, as well, anticipates fruitful and constructive relations with neighbouring ones under the spirit of cooperation. Speaking in the Brazilian Embassy, on Church Street, Georgetown, President Jagdeo said: "Today, there is much enthusiasm among our businessmen to expand trading links, especially with the State of Roraima. The intensity in the recent bilateral exchange of visits must be encouraged and supported." "In recognition that the improvement of trade relations is conditioned by effective communication linkages, my Government will work closely with the Brazilian Government to improve transportation, to realise the necessary infrastructure, especially road and air linkages," he promised. President Jagdeo said he expects, as the two countries deepen relations, mutual benefits will accrue to both. He thanked the Brazilian Government for the assistance it has so far given Guyana in the areas of technical, military, trade and economic cooperation. Mr Jagdeo noted that the people to people contact was further promoted last month when an interdisciplinary team from that country visited Guyana to identify and prioritise areas for bilateral cooperation. The Guyanese leader added that many achievements have made Brazil an outstanding regional and global leader. "This recognition is evident in its high profile within the Rio Group, Common Market of the Southern Cone (MERCOSUR), Latin America Economic System (SELA), Organisation of the American States (OAS), the United Nations (UN) and other regional and international organisations," President Jagdeo acknowledged. He expressed gratitude to Brazil, too, for its support which led to the signing of a recent Memorandum of Understanding on Trade and Investment between Guyana and MERCOSUR. Mr Lyra said, for Brazil, cooperation is the "most appropriate and obvious guiding line towards the continuous and positive development of its relations with Guyana." The envoy said his country "highly regards" the practices of dialogue, understanding and cooperation in the conduct of its foreign policy. He said it was with this in mind that, in the first decade of this century, Brazil concluded negotiations with its neighbours on border issues, guided by the principles of international law. In the context of university activities, the diplomat said the parallel development of the two States in this regard must be noted. "I would recall a seminar on Brazilian-Guyanese relations...as well as the growing interest in the Portuguese idiom that may be felt in Guyana. This is a parallel development to the accelerated growth in the knowledge of the English language that is noted in Brazil, as people become aroused by the appeal and needs of this era of globalisation and rapidly expanding technologies."
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