— says President Granger at Argentina’s Independence celebrations

PRESIDENT David Granger has reiterated Guyana’s commitment to establish, deepen, and strengthen ties with countries across the various hemispheres, so that trade, cooperation, and the exchange of ideas for the benefit of all involved can be accomplished.The Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Argentine Republic established relations on October 6th, 1972, 44 years ago; and Argentina has a permanent embassy in Guyana. Delivering an address at the bicentenary celebrations of the Independence of the Argentine Republic, hosted by the Argentine Embassy at the Marriott Hotel in Guyana, President Granger noted that while great distances and disparities separate the two countries geographically, they remain united by the idea of a more integrated South America.

“We adhere to the ideals of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR), the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), and the Organization of American States (OAS). Guyana and Argentina belong to a continent of cultural, political and social diversity. The common membership we share in these organisations allows us to diminish these differences through the pursuit of common objectives. Continental cooperation allows us to find common ground, to build consensus, and to confront the challenges we face,” the Head of State said. In confronting these challenges, Guyana will continue to work towards deepening and strengthening continental cooperation, he disclosed.

Guyana and Argentina share common values, such as mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty; mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs; cooperation for mutual benefit; respect for treaties and international law; and the maintenance of peace and security.

The President added that Guyana will seek to capitalise on, and strengthen, its relationship with Argentina.

“Guyana understands that it plays an important role as the ‘gateway’ between the Caribbean and the continent (of South America). We are convinced that, with a common vision and a common voice, we can avert conflict and overcome threats to our individual and collective security. Guyana avails itself of the opportunity to iterate its commitment to maintaining our continent as a zone of peace. The countries of South America can be an example to the world by creating a community where our peoples and nations co-exist in peace. The possibilities for increased cooperation between Guyana and the Argentine Republic are encouraging,” the President said.

GREEN ECONOMY

Since his assumption to office, President Granger has been pushing for a ‘green economy’. He believes that cooperation between Guyana and Argentina can help to achieve this vision, since Argentina has a similar commitment.

“We share a commitment to ‘green’ growth. Guyana notes the steps that Argentina has taken in improving the infrastructure of its national parks; increasing renewable energy use in remote communities; implementing sustainable forestry and solid waste management; and introducing measures for the restoration of mined-out areas. We are keen to learn from Argentina’s experiences in environmental security; we are keen to pursue discussions on extending the protected areas and national parks,” he said.

Commenting, Argentine Ambassador to Guyana, Luis Martino, said the Argentine Government is committed to starting a new phase of bilateral relations, since it believes that a lot can be achieved for increased levels of cooperation.

“This vision applies not only to Government agencies, but also to the private sector — to work closer together to identify and strengthen the potentialities that already exist. We are looking at a project (that is) dealing with public security on a wide range of issues: such as criminology, forensic studies, environment, piracy, fishing and anti-smuggling, forensic medicine, among other areas. The proposed package is now under review of the different agencies in Argentina, so that we can draft the plan on the way forward,” Ambassador Martino said.

The ambassador said Argentina is currently in discussion with the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Protected Areas Commission for the latter to embrace opportunity to participate in a course dealing with Protected Areas and National Parks. This course, an on-line and on-site three-month course in Buenos Aires, would be designed to upgrade knowledge in the field of Protected Areas and National Parks, and would see participation of experts from throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.

RESTORATION OF ARTWORK
The Embassy is also working with the National Gallery on a project that involves the eventual restoration of approximately 45 pieces of artwork belonging to the National Collection and forming part of the Guyanese cultural patrimony.

“By no means least, we are also engaged in a lively discussion in the area of sports, in coordination with the Ministry of Education and the Guyana Olympic Association, to bring to Guyana a rugby coach from Argentina for an intensive training of the National Team, ‘The Green Machine’, in preparation for the final of the Rugby Americas North Championship, to take place in Mexico City at the end of July,” he said.

The ambassador said that as Guyana commemorates its Golden Jubilee and Argentina its bicentennial, the wish of the Government of Argentina and his personal wish is that the year would bring nothing but closer links between the two countries, in the spirit of friendship, solidarity and peace.

The bicentenary Independence celebrations of the Republic of Argentina were attended by First Lady Sandra Granger; former President Donald Ramotar; Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge; and other ministers of the Government as well as members of the diplomatic corps and the National Assembly. (Ministry of the Presidency)