President David Granger has called on Guyana’s heads of missions overseas to vigorously pursue the nation’s interests at various levels including that of the wider community.

The Head of State made the charge on Monday morning at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston where the country’s Foreign Service representatives have gathered for a five day conference. The event is being held under the theme:”Advancing Guyana’s Diplomacy in the 21st Century.”

Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge , Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs , Sydney Allicock and several  other  ministers of government and  retired diplomats attended the opening ceremony of the event.

During his address to the gathering, President Granger noted that the state has an obligation to protect each citizen, noting that the rights of the citizens are important wherever they are.

He said that a central element of the  country’s foreign policy has to be a continuous commitment to  integration, as he noted several regional and international organizations in which the country pursue interests.

According to the President, the Foreign Service is charged with the pursuit of national interest at the level of citizens, country and at level of the community. He said such interest must be pursued with vigor.

Speaking on the country’s sovereignty, he said that while the country lacks the economic ability to sanction any state or the military capability to expand its power beyond its borders, it has no plans to pursue such feats.