Reiterating that Guyana’s May 11th general elections was fair and the results represented the will of the people, British High Commissioner Greg Quinn last evening said that is now important to move forward and for the United Kingdom to help Guyana develop and grow.
“There are, no doubt, challenges and much work to be done,” Quinn told a gathering that included President David Granger, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and most of the new cabinet members along with members of the judiciary, civil society and the business sector who turned up to celebrate the 89th birthday of Queen Elizabeth ll.
One of the challenges listed by the High Commissioner was the abuse of women in Guyana and this he said “is unacceptable and disgraceful and should bring shame on those who perpetrate it.”
“It has no place in the modern, democratic Guyana I see on a day-day basis,” he posited.
He also commended the new government’s work on reconciliation for national unity and urged all to work for this common goal. As the country moves to its 50th anniversary of independence Quinn said those who worked for this would want unity.
In his remarks, President Granger welcomed the support from the UK to Guyana’s position on the claims being generated by Venezuela over the two countries’ settled borders. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on May 26th issued a maritime Decree extending Venezuela’s claim to Guyana’s waters which includes the exploration site of ExxonMobil.
“It has become increasingly clear that Venezuela intends to put Guyana under pressure and stymie its development by its unfriendly actions,” President Granger said.
The President issued a call to all states to demonstrate solidarity with Guyana and to condemn the threat of the use of force in the settlement of international disputes.
The Head of State also said that the government is ready to work with its international partners for the development of all Guyanese in the pursuit of common goals. He noted that the country’s longstanding relations with the United Kingdom have evolved over the years with fruitful corporation at the bilateral, regional and multi-lateral levels.
The President thanked the United Kingdom for its support for Guyana’s development efforts and more recently for its advocacy for good governance and respect for the rule of law.
