NEWLY accredited Australian High Commissioner to Guyana John Pilbeam on Wednesday paid, a courtesy call on Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo where they reflected on the long history of bilateral cooperation shared between Guyana and Australia.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo briefed High Commissioner Pilbeam on Guyana’s infrastructural programme, as well as plans to rebuild and rehabilitate deteriorated infrastructure, a release by the Office of the Prime Minister said. Both parties agreed that immediate plans need to be put into place to assist with the current drought situation that confronts Guyana.

High Commissioner Pilbeam noted that his Government will support, in any way possible, all efforts to assist the situation in Region 9.

Prime Minister and the High Commissioner also discussed the reform of the penal system as well as the construction of a new prison which the Government of Australia will support fully. Earlier in the day Pilbeam was accredited the new Non-Resident High Commissioner of Australia to Guyana.

Meanwhile, Nagamootoo also met with Non-Resident Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Guyana, Lutz H. Gorgens. During the cordial meeting the two parties discussed the 2015 elections. Ambassador Gorgens was in Guyana for the 2015 General Elections as part of the European Union (EU) Observers Mission.

Prime Minister Nagamootoo explained the current drought situation that confronts Guyana, and discussed other areas of mutual interest with the Ambassador. On the priority list of topics, the Prime Minister raised the possibility of funding by the German Government for the Iwokrama Forest. Prime Minister Nagamootoo explained some of the future plans for Iwokrama Forest noting that this unique forest is reserved for bio-diversity studies.

Prime Minister also congratulated and expressed his admiration, to the Ambassador, for Germany’s approach to the Syrian war crisis. He noted how impressed he was at the country for accepting the largest amount of refugees. Ambassador Gorgens explained that he will meet with his counterparts on the possibility of full support on all areas discussed with the Prime Minister.