AN ENDORSEMENT of multilateral agreements for two major infrastructural projects connecting Guyana to Venezuela, Suriname and Brazil – Venezuela/Guyana/Suriname and Brazil/Guyana/Suriname – was given by Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) Secretary General, Dr. Ernesto Samper Pizano.He was speaking during a press briefing Tuesday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and co-hosted by the substantive Minister, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett. The noon news conference followed meetings held between Pizano and President Donald Ramotar and Rodrigues-Birkett, earlier Tuesday morning.

Updating the local media corps on the outcomes of the meetings, Pizano explained that two projects are part of seven infrastructure initiatives that form part of the Union’s priorities, which are geared towards advancing greater integration among South American countries.
UNASUR, according to him, is expected to play a coordinating role, which will involve the organisation’s backing for the multilateral agreements between the nations undertaking the projects.
CORENTYNE RIVER BRIDGE
One of the two projects, Guyana is expected to benefit from, the Brazil/Guyana/Suriname link, involves the Corentyne River Bridge.
The Surinamese have so far approached the Chinese with the hope of negotiating for a Chinese construction team to begin works on the project and the Guyana Government has since informed the Chinese Government that it is supportive of the bridge across the Corentyne River.
Last February, the Foreign Affairs Minister, disclosed that the Guyana Government has also sent ‘No Objection’ letters to the Foreign Ministries of Suriname and China in support of the construction of the bridge.
She had noted too that plans were well under way, in that engineers are presently working on what the bridge will look like in terms of design.
In 2010, then President, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo and his Surinamese counterpart, Mr. Desi Bouterse signed an accord for the undertaking of a feasibility study on bridging the Corentyne River, with both countries pledging to pursue a closer working relationship.
During a subsequent meeting in Suriname, in 2012, Guyana’s President Donald Ramotar and Suriname’s President Bouterse had agreed to move to the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to seek joint financing for construction of the bridge.
At that meet, the two heads reiterated the significance of building the structure, noting that it would considerably enhance trade and economic relations and cultural exchanges between the peoples of the two nations.
To date, some construction, on Guyana’s side, in terms of access, has been done, following Cabinet’s approval, to ensure that when funding is streamlined, Guyana is prepared.
OTHER ISSUES
According to Pizano, others issues, important to the regional integration process, discussed included a focus on the economic and social agendas for the South American Region.
He highlighted that infrastructure works, technology, education and energy form part of the economic agenda; while improving democracy is high on the social agenda.

The UNASUR Secretary General added that health was also a feature in yesterday’s high level meeting, particularly as it relates to the supply of medicines.
Asked to expound, he underscored the need for standardization of the supply of drugs for South America’s health sector, to ensure affordable access.
To this end, Pizano stated that talks are ongoing with stakeholders from several sectors, including drug companies, to ensure the issue is comprehensively addressed.
Additionally, the Foreign Affairs Minister, lauded Pizano’s vision for the Union, as captured in his ‘Vision to Action’ strategic plan, and pointed out that the priorities of the plan are similar to those of Guyana.
Rodrigues-Birkett also presented the UNASUR Secretary General with a painting of Guyana’s legendary Kaieteur Falls, as a token to memorialise his first visit to the country.
Pizano assured that while the visit to Guyana was his first, it will not be his last.
His visit to Guyana was the last in his tour of the 12 UNASUR Member States. He was accompanied by two officials of the General Secretariat of UNASUR, located in Ecuador. The former President of Colombia was appointed for a two-year term in August, 2014 as Secretary General of UNASUR.

(By Vanessa Narine)