WHILE THE opposition parties are making politics (their right to do), the President Donald Ramotar-led government is pressing ahead with some fresh initiatives to sustain and expand on policies and programmes in the national interest.
This past week, when there were reports of new moves on the economic front in development projects, including the hunt for oil, the private business sector was enthusiastically commenting on their satisfaction with the hearty responses by Christmas and New Year shoppers.
It certainly augurs well to know that despite a few political interruptions, on the basis of post-election politicking, Guyanese of all segments of the nation were prepared to immerse themselves in having an enjoyable Christmas season and, hopefully, with careful management of their financial resources.
But it was in the area of foreign policy relations that a few initiatives are certainly deserving of mention. For example, a continuation of efforts to strengthen relations with Guyana’s border neighbours, which was among the  highpoints of the Bharrat Jagdeo presidency.
Against that background, President Donald Ramotar and President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela held a telephone conversation that underscored the necessity for, as reported, “enhanced relations” between the two neighbouring states.
For all the political challenges he faces, President Chavez continues to exercise himself in political and economic initiatives that are of significant interest to the Caribbean/Latin American region and which include the formation of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CLACS).
The Venezuelan Head of State, who had surgeries in Cuba last year preparing for new elections later this year,  has emphasised to President Ramotar his deep interest in sustaining good relations with Guyana.
Of course,  forging and deepening good relations with Guyana’s border neighbours—Brazil, Suriname and Venezuela—has been one of the unique features of commonality in foreign policy objectives by both the PPP and the PNC—in and out of government.
It was also useful for the public to learn of the new diplomatic postings that have been made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as announced by Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. They include the confirmation of a Permanent Representative at the United Nations as well as appointments of consular representations in the CARICOM region.
We have no doubt that the Foreign Ministry would be engaged in initiatives designed to make the coming first CARICOM Inter-Sessional Meeting in Suriname a very worthwhile event.
Since the CARICOM Summit last July in St,Kitts and Nevis, the region continues to feel the negative effects of the lingering global economic crisis and new ideas and renewal of commitment would be required on the part of ALL member states to achieve areas of progress that did not happen in 2011.
With two changes in governments within the past two months, first in St Lucia and then in Jamaica, as well as a new Executive President in Guyana following our November 28 elections,  CARICOM Secretary General  Irwin LaRocque, clearly has his work cut out in terms of briefings on the road to Paramaribo for the coming Inter-Sessional of Heads of Government.