IN his address at the opening of the 11th Parliament on Wednesday last, President David Granger said Guyana will aim to play a leading role in Regional affairs, using its presence on the South American Continent and its membership of the Caribbean Community, the Organisation of American States, and the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) to re-engage its neighbours and resolve the major Regional security and economic challenges.

He made this statement even as he assured Guyanese that the Government will do everything to secure the country’s borders.

“We shall strengthen our friendly relations with our neighbours, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, and the Republic of Suriname,” His Excellency said, while noting that these countries together have much to contribute to the security of national borders, the stability of the South American continent, the success of UNASUR and the happiness of the people.

“We will seek effective international collaboration to sustain economic growth and preserve international peace…Government will continue to work towards adherence to agreements that respect its territorial integrity. We insist on the full implementation of agreements that guarantee our sovereignty,” the President said.

Efforts will also be made to deepen economic relations with the Caribbean Community, and work will be tireless with all states of the community, to ensure complete compliance with the Treaty of Chaguaramas and the fulfilment of the needs of all the Caribbean people, President Granger emphasised.

He further noted that the Government will introduce measures to reform the defence and security sectors to ensure that the defence and police forces protect citizens and the country’s territory, allowing Guyanese to feel safe as they go about their daily lives.

There will also be a refashioning of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) into a more professional and better equipped law-enforcement agency. “We shall pay policemen and women better so that they are not easily led into temptation,” the President added.