The three parties represented in Parliament met yesterday at the Office of the President for tripartite talks and will meet again on Monday after agreeing that the issues to be discussed are urgent.
The leaders of the opposition parties were tightlipped on what was discussed during the over two hours meeting but leader of APNU, David Granger, said that the talks were cordial and they have no complaints. “We are discussing the structure of the relationship, the process of the relationship so nothing is agreed this afternoon really,” he said adding that on Monday, a communiqué will be issued.
“We’re just looking at the structures, we’re looking at the processes and we’re looking at how we’re going to go about our relationship; this tripartite relationship,” he said.
The PPP was represented by President Donald Ramotar, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr Roger Luncheon and Presidential Advisor on Governance, Gail Teixeira.
APNU was represented by Granger, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Deborah Backer; while the AFC’s representatives were Khemraj Ramjattan, Gerhard Ramsaroop, Clayton Hall and Cathy Hughes.
“There was a degree of agreement and that is why we are meeting again on Monday prior to the President’s address on the 10th of February. We all are concerned that the issues raised are urgent and that is why we don’t want to compromise the discussion by running to the press,” Granger said.
The parties, following the results of the general elections last year during which the PPP lost its parliamentary majority, have agreed to tripartite talks on several issues including the national budget for this year.
