President Donald Ramotar says Guyana is looking to Russia to be an advocate at important international forums as it prepares to highlight the Low Carbon Development Strategy and REDD + Partnership with the Norwegian government at the upcoming United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (RIO +20) in Brazil later this month.
According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release, the president made these statements to an audience including Russia’s Ambassador to Guyana Nikolay Smirnov, government officials and members of the diplomatic corps at a reception held at the Russian Embassy on Tuesday evening to celebrate Russia’s National Day.
Ramotar noted the importance of Russian representation at forums such as the G8 and G20, saying it can serve as an intermediary for small countries that have been pressing for reforms and the restructuring of the international financial system; the strengthening of financial regulations; combating commodity price volatility, addressing food and nutrition security and renewed access to concessionary financing for highly indebted middle income countries.
Ambassador Smirnov said Russia supports Guyana’s position on climate change and concurred with the need for cooperation during the upcoming RIO + 20 summit set for June 20-22. The ambassador also said that Russia is ready to continue offering scholarships to Guyanese students at some of its prestigious universities to supplement the number of beneficiaries who will this year be returning as trained doctors and economists.
Ramotar was heartened to hear that scholarships had been offered to persons from Aroaima, Berbice River where the Russian bauxite company RUSAL has a mining operation. He also acknowledged Russia’s decision to write-off more than $50M of Guyana’s bilateral debt, noting that such benevolence will allow government to channel much needed resources towards developing programmes in the social sector.
“This action by Russia demonstrates its recognition of the special vulnerabilities [faced by] developing countries such as ours,” the president said.
GINA noted that Russia’s National Day recalls the history of a democratic state built on civil liberties and the rule of law. This year Russia and Guyana will celebrate 42 years of diplomatic relations.
