PRESIDENT David Granger is optimistic that once the spirit of national independence and regional integration are upheld, Guyana can overcome its territorial differences with neighbouring Venezuela.He made the observation on Wednesday evening at the home of Guyana’s Consul-General to Barbados, Mr. Michael Brotherson, where he and Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Carl Greenidge were

Guests of Honour at a cocktail reception to welcome the Guyana delegation attending the 36th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community.
As he thanked the Diaspora for their support at the May 11 General and Regional Elections, the President said while the coalition (APNU+AFC) won, for them it’s an opportunity for a multi-party to take Guyana forward.
“We won, not a victory, but an opportunity; for the first time a multi-party, a multi-racial coalition for Guyana. It has never happened before; it will be a Government aimed at improving Guyanese of all races,” he told the sizeable gathering at the function.
He went on to say that even with a majority win, his Government has no intention of excluding the 49% who voted for the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), and that it is with this in mind that he has extended the olive branch to the party.
And while the PPP/C has not yet heeded the invitation, President Granger said that over the next five years, his Administration will work towards creating a better Guyana in every sense of the word.
In terms of what Guyana has to offer CARICOM, given its geographical layout and bountiful natural resources, President Granger said the short answer will be playing a leading role in making the region an “economic powerhouse”.
However, while Guyana’s contribution to CARICOM’s development is significant, the country will need the group’s support going forward. This, he said, is in relation to the Decree made by Venezuela, claiming most of Guyana’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

“We have come here under a cloud, because we have laboured with a ‘monkey on our back’; and that is the territorial claim by Venezuela. It is something that obstructed development, taking funds away from other forms of development, intimidating investments…,” the President said.
At this particular juncture in Guyana’s history, with ExxonMobil coming across a major oil find, President Granger said that Guyana does not need this obstruction. “We hope to work with our colleagues to ensure that the two things our leaders stood up for in 1965, national independence and regional integration, are upheld at this meeting and throughout the future development in CARICOM.”
The Guyanese Head of State said it is his firm belief that if the entire CARICOM can come together in that spirit collectively, they can overcome this problem. “We believe that we can overcome this hurdle; Guyana is a very big part of the CARICOM future, our resources, these are all part of the Caribbean heritage and patrimony; we are part of this family.”  (GINA)