PRESIDENT David Granger on Friday received the Letters of Credence from Manuel De Jesus Teles Fazendeiro, accrediting him as Non-Resident Ambassador of Portugal to Guyana.The new ambassador, based in Venezuela, replaces Ambassador Mario Alberto Lino da Silva. At the installation ceremony, held at the Ministry of the Presidency, President Granger said relations between Guyana and Portugal predate the formal establishment of diplomatic ties in December 1978.

He said the arrival of the Portuguese in Demerara 181 years ago has served to enrich the fabric of the Guyanese society through their culture and entrepreneurial spirit.

“Guyana values the friendship of countries that are firmly committed to the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations. We face many challenges, which can be tackled only through focused cooperation and collaboration based on the rule of law and respect for sovereignty,” President Granger said.

Referring to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the President said countries need to build beneficial partnerships to tackle issues such as the eradication of extreme poverty and climate change, and to fulfill the social agenda to ensure better lives for all citizens.

The new ambassador said the main goal of his mission is to reaffirm to Guyana the continuity of friendship and the strengthening of relations between the two Governments.

Ambassador Fazendeiro pointed out that in the framework of international relations is a very demanding global scenario. These bilateral goals represent an essential form of support, to further deepen relations between the two countries and guarantee the space and openness for dialogue at the international level.

“There is a significant past between our two nations, and the Portuguese Government wishes to go further to develop the economic, commercial and cultural ties with the Guyana Government, in order to build a more permanent bilateral relationship,” a Ministry of the Presidency release quoted him as saying.