Guyana and the European Union (EU) have begun discussions on a $640m (€2.73m) technical cooperation facility to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A joint Guyana-EU release yesterday said that the facility was discussed on November 17 when the two sides met at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.
Under the new Technical Cooperation Facility valued at €2.73M, Guyana will benefit from support for the implementation and development of policies to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Possible areas of support include health, livelihood development, biodiversity, forestry, governance and public financial management, the release said.
Senior Minister in the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh and EU Ambassador to Guyana Dr. Fernando Ponz Cantó led the two teams.
The joint release described the meeting as a successful step towards further cooperation achievements for the benefit of Guyana’s citizens.
It said that the EU and Guyana have an increasingly close partnership “based on common values, objectives and interests covering all matters of mutual interest”.
While addressing the meeting, the release said that Singh placed on record the strong appreciation of the Government for the EU’s sustained support to Guyana over the years. He also voiced optimism that the strong relationship that Guyana and the EU enjoy will continue to grow in the years ahead as “Guyana traverses this new phase in its economic history”.
Ponz Cantó, the release said, pledged the EU’s continued commitment to the EU-Guyana partnership as Guyana advances its development agenda as a new and emerging oil and gas producer.
“The Ambassador recalled the determination and resilience of the Guyanese people to preserve democratic norms and the rule of law”, the release added.
In particular, he applauded the Government and the National Authorising Officer for re-establishing the bi-lateral policy dialogue which had been absent during 2020 due to the political crisis and related events, and “which is a fundamental element in the full normalisation of cooperation including budget support”.
The release said that Singh then further reaffirmed Government’s appreciation for the EU budget support Programme.
The release added that the two delegations held wide-ranging discussions that focused on the Government’s ongoing investment programme in the sea and river defence sector, including mangroves. Both were key areas that underpinned EU support over the last decades.
The issue of mangroves will likely be uncomfortable for the two sides as years ago the EU had funded a $1b mangrove afforestation programme only for the present government to authorise the decimation of this protected species on the West Demerara to make way for an oil and gas shore base. More mangroves are expected to be removed for the planned new bridge over the Demerara River.
The EU team at the meeting also comprised Karel Lizerot, Head of Cooperation, and other members of the EU Delegation while the Ministry of Finance’s team included Tarachand Balgobin, Deputy National Authorising Officer.
The EU Delegation in Guyana was established in December 1972.
