President Jagan addresses Venezuelan Parliament
PRESIDENT Janet Jagan has called on the peoples of Guyana and Venezuela to join forces to seek solutions to the more complex, global challenges that defy individual approaches. Addressing the Venezuela National Congress (Parliament) in Caracas, Venezuela yesterday, the Guyanese leader, noted the two South American nations have a common history of struggle against colonialism, oppression and inequality. "Our two peoples have surmounted past challenges of slavery, colonialism and autocracy separately. But today's challenges are more complex, more global and defy individual approaches. We must, therefore, join forces and jointly seek solutions to the eradication of poverty, the redistribution of wealth, sustainable development, the debt burden, social and infrastructural development, economic diversification, the narcotics trade and the consequence of globalisation," the President said. The President and a high level delegation arrived for an official two-day visit to Venezuela yesterday and received a red carpet welcome. The warm welcome included a two F15 jet fighter air escort just after crossing the Venezuelan border. Upon landing to a colourful military parade, President Rafael Caldera warmly welcomed the Guyanese leader, saying the visit opens up hope for closer relations between the two countries. The Venezuelan President, accompanied by most of his Cabinet members, said that it is through friendly dialogue that new opportunities would be created for better relations. Echoing his sentiments later, during the meeting with the Legislators, President Jagan said: "My visit here is that of a friendly neighbour who shares common ideals with you, seeking even closer ties with your great nation. The relations between our two countries have been evolving in a positive manner and we view this as a progressive trend which can be further strengthened. It is this optimism I bring to you on behalf of the Guyanese people". Referring specifically to issues surrounding the settlement of the border controversy between the two neighbours, Mrs Jagan said her government reaffirms its commitment to the Geneva Agreement and to the McIntyre Process. "We are committed to the examination of all initiatives which contain the possibility of a solution that would be satisfactory to the peoples of our countries while laying the basis for continued good relations thereafter," she told the meeting. Among the areas the President listed for closer collaboration between the two states are environmental issues and fisheries, trade and investment. The President added too that her government pledges to extend cooperation to eradicate the scourge of the narcotics trade. "We need to implement more frontier cooperation. We will develop more programmes in the area of security and we intend to increase cultural contact and exchanges," the President pledged. She added: "Your Excellency, in these matters, we are ready and willing to further enhance our relations for the mutual benefit of our peoples. We have been encouraged by the hospitality of the government and the people of Venezuela. The same hospitality which has been shown to our delegation, has been shown to the tens of thousands of our nationals who have made Venezuela their home. With the knowledge that it is this spirit which will continue to guide our relations, we view our future bilateral and multilateral agenda with growing optimism, we face the dawn of the 21st century and the changes of the new millennium". The Guyanese leader also acknowledged the support of Venezuela, CARICOM, and other countries in the hemisphere "in our resolve to protect our democracy after so much sacrifice in the past". "We have seen around the world that the transition to democracy is not east and there could be dangers along the way. Guyana was not spared this misfortune. However, our patience and tolerance, and the commitment of our peoples and our region to democratic principles, succeeded in ensuring the maintenance of peace and the integrity of the electoral system," she said. Yesterday too, Presidents Jagan and Caldera, their foreign ministers and respective ambassadors, held official talks at the Presidential palace. The talks took place just after Mrs Jagan laid a wreath at the National Pantheon honouring the great liberator, Simon Bolivar, and after she had received the keys to the city of Caracas by Mayor Antonio Ledezma. Following the discussions, the President said the talks were friendly and touched on many issues which could improve relations between the two neighbours. President Caldera also conferred Venezuela's highest national award given to foreign dignitaries - the Order of the Liberator - on Mrs Jagan. The late President Cheddi Jagan was similarly awarded when he paid an official visit to Venezuela a few years ago. And the members of the private sector delegation yesterday held discussions with their Venezuelan counterparts, including top officials of the Venezuelan Chamber of Commerce. Head of the Private Sector delegation, Mr Yesu Persaud said: "We have been seeing many people and there are likely to be trade initiatives on both sides". He stressed that prospects looked good and that Venezuela will, in the near future, be a major trading partner. He said areas of cooperation currently being examined include rice, sugar, spirits, and steel products. "There is to be follow up action and hopefully, at the end of the visit, there could be a positive statement on both sides for improved economic relations," he said. President Jagan also addressed Fedecameras, the Federation of Venezuelan Chamber of Commerce. 
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