APPLICATIONS for diplomatic postings are currently being considered by Government and an announcement is expected soon.This is according to Minister of State, Joseph Harmon, as he responded to media operatives at his post-Cabinet press briefing yesterday at the Ministry of the Presidency, Shiv Chanderpaul Drive.
“This is a process which takes some time, but we are in the process of considering applicants and their suitability for some of these positions. We have several options that are available to us,” he said.
The Minister is of the view that Guyanese are eager to know the persons who are representing the country’s interest on the international scene, but warned that, “the relationship between countries is not one which would facilitate you just removing somebody and not appointing anyone, because it will send a signal that you have a problem with that country,” Harmon explained.
He further explained that, as pointed out earlier by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge, audit and reviews have to be done at some of the offices overseas. He added that all of these things are being taken into consideration and at the appropriate time, Government will make the announcements regarding Guyana’s Diplomatic Corps.
Meanwhile, in his 2015 Budget presentation Monday, Finance Minister Winston Jordan advised of Government’s plan to create a Department of International Economic Cooperation to step up Guyana’s relations and interactions with its diaspora, as part of its national sovereignty and economic diplomacy efforts.
With this, the Government aims to get the Guyanese diaspora to contribute to national economic development through investments and the transfer of skills and expertise.