Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd on Monday received a courtesy call from Fabrizio Nicoletti, Non-resident Ambassador-Designate of Italy to Guyana and the matter of visa-free travel between the two countries was raised.
A release from the ministry said that Todd noted that Guyana is committed to fostering stronger bilateral relations and partnership with Italy in priority areas of the Government including health, education and security.
Todd also initiated talks on visa-free travel to Italy for the mutual benefit of both countries, particularly through private sector engagements and people-to-people exchanges, which will be advanced in the future.
Italy is part of the Schengen zone in Europe where passport controls have been abolished. Guyana has already raised with the European Union office here the need for easier access to Schengen visas. Currently, if Guyanese want to travel to the Schengen area they must first journey to Suriname and lodge an application there with the Dutch Embassy.
The release said that Todd further noted that Italy and the European Union remain valuable partners to Guyana and CARICOM. On this note, the Ambassador alluded to several technical cooperation initiatives including Italy’s role in supporting the Agri-Food Systems agenda of CARICOM towards reducing the Region’s food import bill by 25% by 2025.
