Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Chief of Staff, Brigadier Omar Khan, recently welcomed the Kingdom of the Netherlands’ Defence Attaché for Suriname and Guyana, Commander (Navy) Geordie Klein, for a courtesy call at Defence Headquarters, Base Camp Ayanganna and the two sides underlined the primacy of maritime training.
A release from the GDF said that the meeting marked Klein’s second visit to Guyana since his appointment in September 2022 and his inaugural meeting with Brigadier Khan. The discussions held underscored the mutual commitment to expanding training opportunities and reinforcing the ongoing cooperation between the Guyana Defence Force and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
“A focal point of the discussions revolved around the paramount importance of maritime training. Both parties acknowledged the need to enhance capabilities through specialized training, with particular attention to maritime operations. In this regard, the Officers explored the possibility of relevant training for GDF ranks. A forthcoming visit to a Maritime facility in Curacao is scheduled to chart the course for future collaborations in this crucial area”, the release said.
The release said that Klein expressed keen interest in exploring training opportunities for Dutch ranks in the Caribbean.
The meeting is the latest round in stepped up defence diplomacy by the government and the GDF in the wake of last year’s tensions with Venezuela over its threats to annexe Guyana’s county of Essequibo.
