Brazilian President recommits to building Guyana-Brazil bridge
Guyana Chronicle
August 3, 2003
BRAZILIAN President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva has reiterated his commitment to the completion of the Guyana-Brazil bridge being constructed across the Takutu River.
The bridge will allow for a road link from Bon Fim in the Brazilian State of Roraima to Lethem in Guyana.
The Government Information Agency (GINA) said President Da Silva and President Bharrat Jagdeo discussed the bridge, among several other matters, during a working visit by the Guyanese Head of State to the neighbouring country last week.
“It was noted that the execution of the project would constitute a step towards the effective communication in the northern region of Brazil, Guyana and the Caribbean,” GINA reported.
GINA said the leaders declared their satisfaction with the feasibility studies being analysed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) for the Guyana-Roraima integration project, which involves the construction of the heavy-duty road.
The project, which was conceived by the Guyana Office for Investment (GO-INVEST) and Investe Brasil, also includes a port and hydroelectric facility in Guyana and an industrial area in Boa Vista, Brazil.
Both Presidents “acknowledged the importance of a road link between Brazil, Guyana, Suriname and the French Department of Guiana, whereby it will increase commercial and tourism flows in northern part of South America,” GINA said.
At the bilateral level, the Presidents highlighted the importance of the Agreement on International Road Transport of Passengers and Cargo signed in February this year, and are hopeful that it will be ratified in the near future.
The Presidents also agreed to explore avenues to improve air links and the establishment of a regular shipping service between the two countries.
GINA said while reviewing development within the international arena, President Jagdeo proposed to President Da Silva the establishment of a New Global Human Order premised on partnership, inter-dependence and people-centered development.
“President Da Silva showed a great deal of interest in the proposal”, the agency reported.
The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment to the protection and promotion of democracy in the region, and applauded the role of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in calling for the deepening of relations among democratic institutions of both countries.
GINA said they emphasised the importance of a peaceful, harmonious and cooperative environment that should prevail among South American countries, while reiterating their commitment to the principle of the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Guyana's participation in the process of the Initiative for the Integration of the Regional Infrastructure of South America (IIRSA) was noted, and the Presidents agreed that physical integration of South American countries forms the basis for this process.
GINA said they expressed satisfaction with the level of understanding reached regarding the elaboration of the Additional Protocol, which will permit the full implementation of the Partial Scope Agreement signed on June 27, 2001, and the effective use of the set of preferential tariffs negotiated between Guyana and Brazil.
The leaders also emphasised the need to identify appropriate funding mechanisms, which would facilitate effective hemispheric trade integration.
“The importance of the coordination of positions of South American countries in hemispheric and international trade negotiations was highlighted”, GINA said.
It was noted that for such negotiations to obtain balance and equitable results, the difference in levels of economic development of the countries, national development strategies and the enormous social needs should be taken into account.
Both Presidents reiterated their commitment to the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organisation and willingness of their Governments to give impetus to the harmonisation of policies in the ambit of that organisation in relation to issues on the environment, particularly those that refer to the protection of genetic resources and biodiversity for the benefit of the peoples of the Amazon.
They applauded the excellent collaboration in military affairs and noted the need to deepen that cooperation through the gradual integration of Guyana in SIVAM.
SIVAM is one of the most sophisticated surveillance systems in the world and it allows the Brazilian Government to protect the Amazon area from illegal invasion and occupation.
The leaders “recognise the importance of convening meetings under the bilateral mechanisms established in the area of drugs, police cooperation and customs,” GINA added.
The battle against poverty, the need for progress in policies on social inclusion and the importance of collaboration in the areas of health and education were among other issues discussed.
In the area of education, the Presidents agreed on the modalities for the revitalisation of student exchange programmes between the two countries, and President Jagdeo offered Guyana as a location for the teaching of English Language.
They also noted the importance of joint mechanisms to review bilateral cooperation and at the same time agreed for early meetings of the Guyana-Brazil Joint Commission, the Guyana-Brazil Group on Consular Cooperation and on Political Consultation.
Brazil and Guyana will observe 35 years of diplomatic relations in December this year and the respective Foreign Ministers are to organise the celebration of this event.
President Jagdeo was accompanied on the three-day visit to Brasilia by a high level delegation comprising Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Rudy Insanally, Minister of Transport and Hydraulics, Mr. Anthony Xavier, Minister of Education, Dr. Henry Jeffrey, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Mr. Manzoor Nadir and Chief Executive Officer of GO-INVEST, Mr. Geoffrey Da Silva.
The Ministers met their Brazilian counterparts and discussed issues relevant to their respective portfolios, GINA said.
