Guyana and Chile on Wednesday signed an Open Skies Air Services Agreement and a Reciprocal Visa Abolition Agreement at the Palacio de la Moneda, the seat of the President of Chile in Santiago.
A Ministry of the Presidency release said that the pacts were signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge and Chilean Foreign Minister, Heraldo Muñoz in the presence of President David Granger and President Michelle Bachelet of Chile, following bilateral talks between the two Heads of State. Granger was on a state visit to Chile.
The release said that the Open Skies Agreement establishes the framework for current and future airlines of both Chile and Guyana to explore launching commercial flights between the two States. The Visa Abolition Agreement paves the way for visa free travel for citizens of both countries.
Presidents Granger and Bachelet discussed opportunities for trade, capacity building in telecommunications, geological mapping in the field of mining and environmental management, the release said. Speaking after the signing of the Agreements, Granger said that the discussions open the door for deepening trade co-operation.
The Head of State, who will assume CARICOM Chairmanship in 2017 noted that the deepening of Chile/Guyana relations also contributes to broader relations between Chile and the regional body. Bachelet, last July, visited Guyana and attended the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, held bilateral talks with the Guyanese President and inaugurated the first permanent Embassy of Chile in Guyana.
At Wednesday’s signing, the Chilean leader said that regional integration is important to the people of Chile and noted that there are several areas of common interest with Guyana.
Raising the issue of regional safety and security, Bachelet said that countries in the region must work together to develop responses to the challenges of narcotics trafficking, violence and the impact of climate change. She said that Chile is focused on advancing such themes as democracy and promotion of human rights.
The release said that Granger met with the Chilean President after participating in a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument of the Libertador General Bernardo O’Higgins. According to the release, he placed a wreath made in the likeness of the Golden Arrowhead and festooned with fresh flowers at the monument, which honours O’Higgins, a Chilean Independence leader, who is credited with helping to free Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence.
Following the bilateral talks and the signing of the agreements, the President delivered a lecture at the Andres Bello Diplomatic Academy of Chile to 80 Chilean and international students titled, ‘The Caribbean Region as a Zone of Peace’.
Chile and Guyana to explore launching commercial flights between the two States. The Visa Abo-lition Agreement paves the way for visa free travel for citizens of both countries.
Presidents Granger and Bachelet discussed opportunities for trade, capacity building in telecommunications, geological mapping in the field of mining and environmental management, the release said. Speaking after the signing of the Agreements, Granger said that the discussions open the door for deepening trade co-operation.
The Head of State, who will assume CARICOM Chairmanship in 2017 noted that the deepening of Chile/Guyana relations also contributes to broader relations between Chile and the regional body. Bachelet, last July, visited Guyana and attended the CARICOM Heads of Government meeting, held bilateral talks with the Guyanese President and inaugurated the first permanent Embassy of Chile in Guyana.
At Wednesday’s signing, the Chilean leader said that regional integration is important to the people of Chile and noted that there are several areas of common interest with Guyana.
Raising the issue of regional safety and security, Bachelet said that countries in the region must work together to develop responses to the challenges of narcotics trafficking, violence and the impact of climate change. She said that Chile is focused on advancing such themes as democracy and promotion of human rights.
The release said that Granger met with the Chilean President after participating in a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument of the Liberta-dor General Bernardo O’Higgins. According to the release, he placed a wreath made in the likeness of the Golden Arrowhead and festooned with fresh flowers at the monument, which honours O’Higgins, a Chilean Independence leader, who is credited with helping to free Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence.
Following the bilateral talks and the signing of the agreements, the President delivered a lecture at the Andres Bello Diplomatic Academy of Chile to 80 Chilean and international students titled, ‘The Caribbean Region as a Zone of Peace’.
