-at country’s 206th Independence Anniversary reception

PRESIDENT David Granger has recommitted Guyana to strengthening ties with the United Mexican States (commonly referred to as Mexico) as that North American country observes its 206th Anniversary of Independence this year.“Guyana and Mexico have committed to deepening the integration process in the Caribbean and on the continent. We will continue to cooperate at the bilateral, regional, and international levels,” The Head-of-State said at an anniversary reception held at Marriott Hotel on Thursday.

Referring to the size of Mexico — nine times bigger than Guyana, and with a population that is about 165 times greater than Guyana’s — the President said that symmetries between the two countries in size and population have not hindered relations since establishment of diplomatic ties on March 1, 1973.

He said that both Guyana and Mexico share a common desire for peace and security in the Caribbean Basin, and both countries want the Caribbean to remain a zone of peace, which is vital to the economic interests of both Republics.

“Instability in the region would harm the economies. Instability would deter investment, diminish economic growth, and degrade development. Guyana and Mexico have committed to deepening the integration process in the Caribbean and on the continent,” the President said.

He also committed Guyana to continuing cooperation with Mexico at the bilateral, regional and international levels. “Guyana looks forward to working with Mexico in the regional and hemispheric associations, to ensure greater respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty of states, to observe international law, and to promote peaceful settlements of disputes,” he declared.

Noting that despite existing on two different continents, the two countries share a common interest in promoting sustainable development, particularly in the area of renewable energy, President Granger said Guyana looks forward to increased cooperation with the Spanish-speaking country in a common quest to ensure greater use of cleaner and renewable energy sources.

But relations between the two countries have been more than just a vision. In fact, Mexico’s Ambassador to Guyana, Ivan Roberto Sierra-Medel, highlighted that significant progress has been made in three key areas of bilateral relations — regional security, climate change, and food security.

The Ambassador said Guyana has since benefited from security-related training initiatives hosted in Mexico within the last year. He also noted that collaboration on climate change entered a new stage when Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and Natural Resources Minister Raphael Trotman visited the Mexican Institute for Petroleum.

Sierra-Medel reported that, in return, representatives from the Institute visited Guyana to begin bilateral collaboration in the areas of energy.
And in the area of food security, a relevant agenda is taking shape, he said, adding that the two countries are working closely in looking to implement improvements in Guyana’s paddy and coconut sectors.

Outside of these areas of interest, the ambassador said, a number of Mexican agencies are keen on expanding cooperation with Guyana in the areas of education, sustainable development, and information communication technology, among other areas.

“As we move ahead in capacity-building and the bilateral promotion of business, I would like to suggest that the concrete actions that our shared benefits have achieved lay the foundation for further collaboration,” he said.