Saying that Guyana has benefitted significantly, particularly in the areas of trade and investment, health and security since establishing diplomatic ties with the United States (US), President David Granger on Friday night expressed optimism that two countries will continue to enjoy good relations and cooperation.
Granger, who at the time was making an address in celebration of the US’ 243rd anniversary of the Declaration of Independence at the residence of the US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch, stressed that the countries have managed to “cultivate a strong, stable and sound relationship over the past 53 years.”
Speaking to special invitees, the president said that the two countries founded their friendship on the principles of mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, cooperation for mutual benefit, respect for international law and treaties, and the maintenance of international peace and security.
“…the USA continues to be one of Guyana’s most significant trade and investment partners. We appreciate the cooperation programmes, which have contributed to our national development and social change,” he said before singling out initiatives such as the Maternal Child Survival Programme, the Strengthening of the Criminal Justice System, and numerous USAID governance and security training programmes offered to the defence and police forces.
He said that such programmes augment our human resource capacity and have been invaluable to Guyana’s development.
Granger said, too, that Guyana continues to benefit from the US SOUTHCOM’s New Horizons series of projects, which began in 2004. This project, he explained, has contributed to Guyana’s public health and public education systems through the building of clinics, community centres, schools and the hosting of joint medical outreaches. “All of these promote peace and stability and augment the development of the social infrastructure so necessary for improving citizens’ quality of life,” he said.
According to Granger, the US has sustained cooperation in health, education and the environment and he singled out the current cohort of 33 Peace Corps volunteers for assisting the ministries of Public Health, Education and the Department of the Environment in improving primary literacy, supporting adolescents in youth-friendly spaces and raising awareness of domestic and environmental issues.
Guyana, he said, also benefits from the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in the global fight against the disease – an initiative guided by Millennium Development Goal of halting the spread, improving treatment and the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV and AIDS.
“Guyana – guided by its own Green State Development Strategy – is in transition towards establishing a “green state,” one that will place emphasis on the protection of our environment, the preservation of our biodiversity, the promotion of renewable energy and the adoption of practical measures to ensure climate adaptation,” he further said, before adding that Guyana looks forward to continued cooperation with the US as the country advances toward securing a better life for all our people in the western hemisphere and the Caribbean.
‘New day’
Meanwhile, US Ambassador Lynch, in her address, spoke of the maintenance of strong relations with Guyana.
She explained that since its birth, the United States has grown into “a strong leader, yes, but also friend and partner to many nations, including Guyana.”
Lynch added that her country has endured many struggles caused by political strife and ethnic and sectarian divisions but has found its way time and time again out of the divisiveness and onto a solid path.
After detailing the country’s successes in politics, science and technology and space exploration, she said Guyana is on its own journey currently and is also facing tremendous opportunity, having burst onto the world stage as it gets ready for the first extraction of oil. First oil is expected in 2020.
“I am proud that the US continues to be a determined partner of yours as we continue to collaborate with Guyana in preparation for this new day. Partnering on the security front to make Guyana safer and more secure; partnering on the governance front to improve transparency and accountability, and to reduce corruption; partnering on the development front to enhance access to quality healthcare and increase educational and job opportunities; and partnering on the economic front to increase trade and US investment in Guyana,” she told the gathering.
Lynch maintains that partnership between the two countries can continue to thrive and be successful with strong US and Guyanese leadership.
She used the occasion to urge government officials, leaders and members of the opposition, civil society and youth to help Guyana in its journey to success and to help the country prepare, to the greatest extent possible, for this “new day.”
