DURING a courtesy call on Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, Assistant Secretary-General of the Organistaion of American States (OAS), Mr Albert Ramdin, said, “It is the view of the OAS that once elections are held,the country has to move on in unity, and it is the responsibility of all to take part in that unity.”Speaking briefly to media operatives yesterday from his office within the Ministry of the Presidency, Prime Minister Nagamootoo expressed his gratitude to Mr Ramdin for calling on him, and thanked him for all his previous assistance to the country.
Nagamootoo related that Ramdin “is not a stranger to Guyana; he hails from our neighbouring country, Suriname.”
He thanked the Assistant Secretary-General for his stint of service with the Organistation, and noted that while he served in this capacity as Assistant Secretary-General, “he has been a great ambassador for our Region.”
The prime minister explained that this is a farewell visit, as Ramdin will be departing his post come July. He however, urged him to continue his work to promote the good and friendly relationship between Guyana and Suriname,as well as with the other countries in the Region.
Nagamootoo explained further that he would like to see the present unity between the two countries grow and be strengthened, and hopes that Guyana, Suriname and the other countries in the Region would pool their resources to help each other.
He made mention of the many Guyanese who reside in Suriname. The Government of Suriname, he related, sees our country as an attractive place from which to buy goods and because of this “we trade regularly.”
The prime minister expressed the hope that some of the projects that they have discussed will materialise, especially the bridging of the Corentyne River and with this we will enjoy a stronger relationship.
According to the top Surinamese diplomat, it is always a pleasure to be in Guyana. “We have had a strong and good relationship as neighbouring countries, [and] it is important for such relationship building if we want to see development in the Region, especially between Guyana and Suriname.
“I am here on a farewell visit, since I will be demitting office as of July this year after two terms of service and in this capacity I have visited Guyana many times,” he noted.
“The recent elections held in Guyana gave off some positive energy and this is the view of the OAS that once elections are held, the country has to move on in unity and it is the responsibility of all to take part in that unity,”Ramdin urged, as he explained that for the country to move forward with its new dispensation, unity is needed. “So we can have a fullyfunctioning parliament and a strong government and the people of Guyana will be able to positively benefit from this.”
According to Ramdin, he has “also met some of the ministers of cabinet and have discussed with them and indicated ways in which the OAS can be of assistance to the country, in whatever Guyana needs.”
Albert Ramdin was elected Assistant Secretary General of the OAS on June 7, 2005 and he was unanimously re-elected to serve a second term on March 20, 2015. He has been influential in providing support to countries via OAS programmes to strengthen sustainable development, increase productivity and innovation of small and medium-sized enterprises.