PRESIDENT David Granger yesterday accepted Letters of Credence from new Non-Resident Ambassadors to Guyana from the States of Israel and Japan respectively at the Ministry of the Presidency.

The accreditation of Ambassador Mordehai Amihai-Bivas as Guyana’s Non-resident Ambassador of the State of Israel to Guyana, affords both Guyana and the State of Israel the opportunity to continue to work together for the maintenance of international peace and security, said President Granger.

“It allows us, also, to deepen our relations in pursuit of peace and the sustainable development of both states,” President Granger said at a simple accreditation ceremony.
COMMONALITIES
He noted that while Guyana and Israel share several “intersecting development priorities,” stronger focus can be placed on agriculture. “We seek to co-operate also in the areas of food security, information technology, poverty alleviation, public health and public infrastructure. The pursuit of these commonalities could be the basis for our continued co-operation at the bilateral level,” said President Granger.
Guyana, President Granger said, remains committed to pursuing the economic and social development of its peoples as well as an atmosphere of peace and stability. “We believe that peace is essential for there to be national development. Peace and security, also, strengthen the ties of amity and comity between nations and regions.”
The President noted Guyana’s rejection of the use of non-peaceful means to resolve differences between states. “We deplore the threat of or use of force to settle disputes,” he said affirmatively, while noting that Guyana holds steadfast to the mission of ensuring that the Caribbean Region remains a zone of peace.
The President welcomed Ambassador Amihai-Bivas to Guyana, and wished him a “productive and successful tour of duty” as Non-Resident Ambassador of the State of Israel to Guyana.
“We wish to assure you of our government’s full co-operation as you discharge the responsibilities entrusted to you in our capital,” President Granger said as he also accepted Letters of Recall of Ambassador Amihai-Bivas’ predecessor Amiram Magid.
The newly accredited Israeli Ambassador said he sees the vast potential Guyana has, and as such, is prepared to partner and work with the country to develop bilateral relations, especially in the areas of climate change and education.
“Your Excellency, both Israel and Guyana share important qualities. Both countries are young, independent countries and both have a stronger sense of nationhood in spite of our nation’s youth… Guyana is a blessed land with wonderful people and abundant natural resources. Its national heritage has not been devastated by over-exploitation… With the awareness of climate change and effects of deforestation, Guyana is well situated to be among the leaders of sustainable development. We have found a partner in Guyana and Israel stands ready to offer its support,” he said.
Meanwhile, in accepting the Letters of Credence for Japan’s Non- Resident Ambassador to Guyana, Ambassador Mutsuhito Okada, President Granger said Guyana places a high value on the strengthening of economic co-operation with Japan and looks forward to continuing co-operation with Japan, particularly in the areas of economic, social and physical infrastructure and technology transfer.
SOCIAL INFRASTRUCTURE
“Investments in social infrastructure, particularly in education and public health, will sustain a more skilled and healthier workforce and thereby generate increased benefits for our people. They will enable our industries to improve their efficiency and competitiveness,” said the President.
President Granger also expressed appreciation for Japan’s support for Guyana’s development and noted that this country has benefited from Japan’s co-operation with the Caribbean Region. “Guyana intends to expand economic co-operation with Japan in the ensuing years,” he added.
The President added that though separated by 24,000km of sea, Guyana and Japan are united by relations that have been cemented over 46 years, having established diplomatic ties on June 11, 1969. “The passage of the intervening years has witnessed an intensification of economic co-operation and trade between our two countries,” President Granger said as he welcomed Ambassador Okada to Guyana. “We assure you of our government’s full co-operation in the discharge of your responsibilities,” he said.
Ambassador Okada replaces his predecessor Yoshimasa Tezuka, whose Letters of Recall was also accepted by President Granger.
After presenting his Letters of Credence to President Granger in the presence of Minister of State Joseph Harmon, who is acting Minister of Foreign Affairs as Minister Carl Greenidge is out of country, and Director General (ag) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deborah Yaw, the newly accredited Ambassador said Japan has always had strong ties with Guyana and he expects that this will continue to grow and deepen in the coming years.
MUTUAL PARTNERSHIPS
“Japan and Guyana are global partners and share common interests and common challenges. Based on a state of mutual partnerships, Japan and Guyana have maintained bilateral relations in areas of fisheries, utilities, and grassroots human exchange,” he said.
Ambassador Okada noted that Japan has extended support and aid to Caribbean countries, and by extension Guyana, in the area of disaster risk management.