PRESIDENT David Granger saluted Britain’s support for the development of Guyana’s security sector and its struggle to preserve its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The Head of State said that the re-engagement between the two countries on the re-implementation of reforms in the security sector is a welcome development, which will benefit the country immensely in terms of improving policy-making and crime-fighting. President Granger made these remarks, Thursday evening, at a reception hosted at the residence of the British High Commissioner to Guyana in Bel Air in honour of Her Majesty the Queen’s 91st birth anniversary, which she celebrated on April 21.

Among the invitees were First Lady Mrs. Sandra Granger, Chancellor of the Judiciary (ag) Ms. Yonette Cummings-Edwards and Chief Justice (ag) Ms. Roxane George-Wiltshire. President Granger said Guyana’s development has been boosted by Britain’s assistance in the areas of education, public sector reform, strengthening of the Judiciary, disaster relief, water supply, the restructuring of the sugar industry and debt relief. Further, he said, “Britain’s Caribbean Infrastructure Fund will be a welcome and necessary boost to the extension of our country’s infrastructure.”

The Head of State said that the two countries have also enjoyed good cooperation within the framework of the Commonwealth, a body which has come out in full support of Guyana in the ongoing border controversy with Venezuela. The President added that Guyana looks forward to Britain’s continued support, especially within the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, as Guyana prepares to finally bring the claims to territory to a peaceful and lawful conclusion.

Meanwhile, British High Commissioner to Guyana, Mr. Greg Quinn said that British security expert, Mr. Russell Combe, who is an Advisor to President Granger as part of the Security Sector Reform (SSR) project, is on the cusp of producing his initial interim report. He added that in addition to the strategic aspects of his mandate, work will commence as soon as possible to ensure implementation of some of the recommendations he is expected to make.

“His desire, shared I know by all of us, is that in addition to the more ‘strategic’ parts of his mandate, work should start on implementing some of his recommendations as soon as possible. As I have said on many occasions none of us want to see a worthy SSR report produced which simply sits on a shelf,” he noted. Further, the High Commissioner said “the work being done under SSR is only part of a broader relationship we have on combating serious organised crime through a wide range of assistance provided by e.g. the UK’s National Crime Agency, as well as support to the Guyana Defence Force.”

Quinn said that apart from funding projects such as the SSR the UK will be committing, is some £61M worth of Department for International Development (DFID) expected in Guyana over the next five years. He also spoke of the UK just concluded general elections which saw the re-election of Prime Minister Theresa May. The High Commissioner said that next week when Her Majesty addresses Parliament, countries will know more about the UK’s plans and programmes.

During his visit to London last April, President Granger had met with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who, he said, shares his commitment to environmental protection. “Guyana’s drive to become a ‘green’ state, which will balance environmental sustainability with economic and human development is well known. I am happy to have had the honour of meeting Her Majesty and of sharing with her a common commitment to forest conservation and the protection of our precious biodiversity. Guyana and Britain have maintained diplomatic relations since May 26, 1966. The two countries have cooperated at the bilateral and multilateral levels in public security, the promotion of democracy, the protection of the environment, the alleviation of poverty and the development of public infrastructure.