…bilateral trade, border security, international trade also discussed with External Relations Minister
GUYANA has been assured of Brazil’s commitment to participating in the advancement of infrastructure projects and policies aimed at promoting development of sports in this country. Minister of External Relations of the neighbouring country, Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, yesterday gave the assurance in remarks he made following the signing of an agreement that will see the fostering of greater relationship between the two countries in the area of sports, encouraging exchange and experience in the organizing of sports competitions, as well as sharing experiences in the management of sports facilities and marketing of sports.
It was the Brazilian envoy’s first visit to Guyana since being appointed his country’s Minister of Foreign Affairs in January 2011, and the sports development agreement he signed with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett at the Guyana International Conference Centre, Liliendaal, was after separate discussions with President Bharrat Jagdeo and Minister Rodrigues-Birkett.
The two countries are enjoying almost 43 years of friendly relations, with continual efforts to further strengthen cooperation.
Minister Patriota’s visit took place within the ambit of the 2002 Guyana/Brazil Mechanism for Political Consultations, with the aim of analysing matters of interest to both countries in the bilateral, regional and international spheres.
Addressing media representatives after the signing, Minister Rodrigues -Birkett said the agreement will, in addition to making provisions for exchanges between the two countries, allow for Guyana to benefit from the visit of Brazilian coaches to assist in the area of soccer.
And with Ambassador Patriota being an ardent cricket fan, there is the likelihood that Guyana may be able to impart some of its knowledge and skills to our Brazilian counterparts, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett added.
The earlier discussions, she said, centered on issues of bilateral cooperation, border security cooperation, and bilateral trade, along with other regional and international issues.
The latter included Guyana’s chairmanship of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and current matters being addressed, its membership in AKTO and United Nations Security Council Reform.
On the issue of bilateral cooperation, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said the discussion focused on the Linden/Lethem roadway which is viewed as the key priority issue for both countries, as they strive to improve people to people contact, as well as trade.
Guyana believes it is only through the upgrade of the Linden/Lethem roadway that the true trade potential would be maximised, and is also aware of the huge trade imbalance between the two countries, she noted.
And while this country will never be able to compete with Brazil, it can nevertheless seek to increase in trade, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett posited, noting that additional tariff lines have been added to an initial 127 which existed under the Carib Scope Agreement.
The agreement allows for all the items under the arrangement to enter into the Brazilian market free of duty, and Guyana is now awaiting on its Brazilian counterparts to finalise their end, so that businesses can begin to benefit from the trade of the additional items.
Alluding to ongoing discussions by a consortium of Brazilian companies in relation to the upgrade of the road, the construction of a deep-harbour port, and possibly the hydro-electric project, Minister Rodrigues-Birkett said that some positive movements should be expected in the not-too-distant future.
And as it relates to discussions on issues of technical cooperation, she said work is ongoing in the areas of health, education, and culture, and disclosed that Guyanese are hoping to invite to Guyana the Brazilian Minister of Racial Equality, along with a cultural group at an event slated for October, as part of the celebration of the Year of People of African Descent.   
On the issue of the Security Council Reform, she said Guyana, at yesterday’s meeting, reiterated its position of full support for Brazil in its quest for a seat on the expanded Security Council.
In his remarks, Minister Patriota expressed appreciation for the warm welcome accorded him by both President Jagdeo and Minister Rodrigues.
He remarked,“So much is happening in the country which has a thriving democracy, many years of sustained growth with effective policies in education, governmental awareness and President Jagdeo’s personal engagement, and commitment to sound environmental polices.”
On this note, he observed that Brazil will next year be hosting the Rio +20 Conference on Sustainable Development, and the elements will continue to be part of the ongoing dialogue.
The Brazilian envoy also expressed his country’s appreciation of Guyana’s role as Chair of UNASUR, as he recalled that since President Lula’s visit last year to Guyana, the two countries have been working very closely.
He also expressed appreciation to Minister Rodrigues-Birkett for the personal invitation she had extended to him to participate in the Caribbean Summit in Grenada, where they engaged in a discussion on Brazil’s support of CARICOM through its candidate to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation(FAO).
Yesterday’s visit, he added, provided him an opportunity to express at the highest level, his country’s appreciation and commitment to the new head of the FAO to work very closely in the areas of agricultural and rural development, as well as food security issues.
It was during his endorsement of the earlier sentiments of Minister Rodrigues-Birkett in relation to discussions on the entire range of issues on the bilateral agenda, that the Brazilian envoy assured that Brazil is committed to participating in the infrastructure projects and policies to be advanced by Guyana in promoting development.
He also expressed the hope that the ongoing discussions between the Brazilian and Guyanese companies on the upgrade of the Lethem to Linden roadway, the hydro-electric projects, and the deep water seaport will materialise soonest.
He said these could be the transformation in  a relationship that can have a strategic impact, not only in generating more trade in helping to balance trade that is more mutually beneficial, but also allow for more interaction between the populations of the two countries.
According to the Brazilian envoy, his country views the upcoming sporting events, the World Cup and the Olympic Games, as opportunities for the neighbouring countries, and especially their youths.
Ambassador Patriota reiterated his country’s desire to remain very closely in touch with the Guyana authorities.
Guyana, the ambassador added, not only has demonstrated its commitment to bilateral and South American relations based on cooperation, it is also a very important partner as a vehicle for the relations between Brazil and CARICOM, and a very important member of the United Nations.