President David Granger, in pledging Guyana’s support to the Union of South American Nation (UNASUR), stated that Guyana can serve as a bridge between UNASUR and CARICOM.President Granger, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge and Guyana’s Ambassador to Suriname, Mr. Keith George, yesterday met with UNASUR’s Secretary General Dr. Ernesto Samper Pizano, in Paramaribo, Suriname.
During the meeting, President Granger told Dr. Pizano that Guyana is committed to the infrastructural integration of South America. The Guyanese leader also noted that the objectives of UNASUR can only be fulfilled under a framework of peace and mutual respect among the states of South America.
More importantly, President Granger pledged his support to cooperate fully to ensure there is no disturbance of peace on the continent, as he reaffirmed Guyana’s rejection of the use of threats and force to settle differences.
Meanwhile, Dr. Pizano emphasised the ongoing work of UNASUR in promoting peace, democracy and human rights. UNASUR, he noted, has a social agenda that stresses inclusiveness, an economic agenda that stresses competitiveness, and a political agenda that stresses participation. The Secretary General added that UNASUR will remain keen on promoting the free movement of persons on the continent.
UNASUR, created in 2008, is a multilateral organisation with membership coming from 12 of the 13 nations in South America. It is an intergovernmental union integrating two South American trade blocs: MERCOSUR, a regional trade agreement among Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay; and the Andean Community of Nations, a trade bloc comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
President Granger and a delegation are currently in Suriname to participate in the inauguration ceremony for that country’s president, His Excellency Desi Bouterse.