European Union (EU) Ambassador Fernando Ponz Cantó has reaffirmed the body’s commitment to support the development of Guyana and stated that it is their hope that the wealth from the country’s natural resources will be put towards the benefit of all Guyanese.
Cantó made this comment during his message to mark Europe Day which was celebrated yesterday. He noted that Europe stands for democracy and although many mistakes were made in the past they have always strived to have dialogue and that the end result be democracy and peace. “As a friend of Guyana, we want that for Guyana and all our international partners,” he said.
He noted that the EU has had a presence in Guyana shortly after it became a republic and this will continue. He said that the relationship between Guyana and the EU is ever-growing and one of the body’s prime goals is to help Guyana make use of the opportunities available presently.
“Among those opportunities are the natural resources; the wonderful natural resources of this country. We would like to see that this formidable wealth is put to the use of the prosperity of each and every Guyanese,” he said. He added that the EU is encouraged by the work that is being done in that particular direction and said that the country can count on the EU for any assistance needed.
Further, he said the EU have always been supportive of Guyana’s development and will continue to do so especially in the country’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cantó stated that the EU is a major donor to the COVAX scheme which provides vaccines for developing countries and is very happy that Guyana has received its first shipment and is expecting its second today.
“We continue to stand by Guyana even though the situation is not easy in Europe but we think that it is in difficult times that one recognizes his real partners and friends”, he said before encouraging listeners to adhere to the COVID-19 measures in place such as social distancing and wearing a mask while out in public.
Europe Day is held on May 9th every year and marks the anniversary of the historic Schuman declaration which started Europe on the path to becoming the European Union.
