A practical step towards the deepening of ties between Guyana and France
SEVERAL  issues of mutual interest were discussed yesterday when the first bilateral meeting between Guyana and France was held at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal. Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce Mr. Manniram Prashad, in his capacity as acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, headed Guyana’s delegation which included Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Elisabeth Harper; Second in Command of the Guyana Defence Force, Colonel Jullian Bruce Lovell; Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs, Angela Johnson and Deputy Chief Immigration Officer, Senior Superintendent of Police, Carol Primo, and representatives from other organisations.
French Ambassador to Suriname and Guyana, Richard Barbeyron headed an equally large delegation from the French Republic, among whom was President of the Regional Council, Mr. Rudolphe Alexandre.

Issues on the agenda for discussion by the two sides were, political dialogue; regional cooperation; relations  between Guyana and France, in particular closer links with French Guiana within which matters dealing with cooperation in the fields of security, environment protection and management and other areas of cooperation falls; and a proposal for a formal mechanism for bilateral consultations between the two countries.
Both heads of delegation in their respective opening remarks, underscored the need for a further strengthening of  the existing relations between the two countries, as well as explore avenues for cooperation.
Minister Prashad said the forum would provide the opportunity for an exchange of views on key issues of mutual interest on the international agenda as well as a discussion on existing and possible new areas of cooperation.
He observed that the inclusion of high-ranking officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Paris and in Cayenne, French Guiana on the French delegation, signalled the  importance with which France views its relations with this country.
In recalling that relations between Guyana and France were established more than four decades ago and have been founded on the basis of a strong sense of mutual understanding and respect, Minister Prashad added that  over the years, the Guyana Government has received appreciable support from the Government of France for its national development thrust through debt relief measures and economic and technical cooperation including language training and military and police cooperation.
He at this point,  commended the French Government for its decision to strengthen the staff of its Embassy accredited to Guyana from Paramaribo with an official from the French Agency for Development.
And he remarked, “This is a sign of the commitment of France to extend the level of its bilateral development aid to developing countries and in particular those in the Caribbean and we welcome this renewed interest.”
Alluding to the collaboration at the regional and international levels, Minister Prashad made mention of the membership of both countries in the Association of Caribbean States (ACP) which, according to him, affords the opportunity to engage in activities treating with the effects of natural disasters and the promotion of tourism and trade and transportation amongst the countries of the wider Caribbean.
“We are also privileged to participate together in the ACP-EU forum and the European Union – Latin American and Caribbean mechanism.   Through all of these mechanisms, France has been exposed to the issues which lay at the heart of the development agenda of the Caribbean region.  This is a tangible demonstration of North-South cooperation,” he added.
The Acting Foreign Affairs Minister also applauded the French Embassy in Paramaribo for spearheading the initiative to engage in formal bilateral talks, which he likened as a practical step towards the deepening of ties between Guyana and France and in particular closer links with French Guiana as part of the Guiana Shield.
Expressing confidence that the inaugural forum will serve as an important platform to strengthen our existing friendship and cooperation, the Minister urged both delegations to examine proposals for the establishment of a formal mechanism for regular bilateral consultations between the two countries.
Ambassador Barbeyron, in his remarks which was translated by an interpreter, expressed similar sentiments and emphasised the need for both countries to cooperate against criminal activities, drug trafficking and protect their communities against environmental degradation.
And, according to him, the fact that both Guyana and France share similar environmental and border problems, he views the relationship as a special and important step towards strengthening relations, and promote cooperation between the two countries.
The French envoy, who noted that  he visited Guyana many times before and had met with President Jagdeo, said that on each of those visits he has urged that there be a strengthening of relations between the two countries.
Mr Alexandre, in his brief remarks, also called for cooperation from the countries within the Guianas  shield  in an effort to combat drug trafficking.
Mr Alexandre also evoked some laughter when he spoke about the shared interest in the Inter-Guiana games and keen rivalry displayed.