President David Granger last evening, attended the 209th Independence Anniversary of the Republic of Chile at the Marriott Hotel and stronger ties with Santiago’s mining and petroleum sectors are on the agenda.
According to a statement from the Ministry of the Presidency, Granger, in his address, said Guyana and Chile have enjoyed excellent relations since formal diplomatic ties on 22nd July 1971. “Relations between our two states have fostered cooperation in the fields of diplomacy, language-training, geochemical and geological mapping, immigration, port security and transportation,” the President said.
The President added that Guyana looks forward to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Chile, particularly in the mining and petroleum sectors, disaster management and environmental protection.
“The Statement of Intent on Cooperation in Energy and Mining and the Memorandum of Understanding between the “Andres Bello” Diplomatic Academy of Chile and the Foreign Service Institute of Guyana which were signed in Montego Bay on 6th July 2018 manifest our common commitment to deepening and widening cooperation for our mutual benefit,” he said.
Granger, who presently heads a caretaker administration, said further, that Guyana and Chile share common concerns about what occurs in South America while noting that “the raging wildfires in the Amazon and the devastating effects of hurricanes in the Caribbean highlight the urgent need for intensified continental cooperation on environmental catastrophe”.
Chilean Ambassador Patricio Becker said Guyana and Chile’s relations over the years have been bolstered through enhanced cooperation.
“Mr. President, we are confident that Guyana has a great future with the development of the oil and gas industry; exploration and exportation of a growing mining industry as well as the development of the timber industry… my country wishes to contribute to that future in different fields,” Becker said.
