PRESIDENT David Granger said Guyana and Russia will continue to collaborate in areas of mutual interest as the two countries look to strengthen ties, ahead of the commemoration of 50 years of bilateral relations next year.

“Russia’s contributions to science and its economic and social achievements – straddling all spheres of human endeavour – have benefitted developing countries, including Guyana,” President Granger said, while adding that Russia’s role within the international community remains an important one.

He expressed these remarks at a Russia Day reception held at the Russian Embassy on Wednesday evening.

Guyana and Russia have enjoyed excellent formal and informal relations for over 50 years and have worked to maintain regional peace and security.

“Guyana and Russia have collaborated in the fields of culture, education, the economy, security and science,” the President said, adding that Guyana remains appreciative to Russia for debt and disaster relief.

Guyanese have also benefitted from training in Russia in a number of areas and have returned home, and are contributing to national development.

Russian Ambassador to Guyana, Alexander Kurmaz told the gathering that some 200 Guyanese have graduated from the Soviet and Russia’s higher education institutions.

“We are still continuing this tradition today, providing State and non-governmental scholarships for Guyanese citizens,” Kurmaz noted.

Russia and Guyana have enjoyed cordial relations unofficially for about a century until they formally established diplomatic relations in 1970. Next year will commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

And over the years, President Granger related, too, that bilateral relations have also been enhanced through a number of bilateral agreements.

These include the Treaty on Basic Relations between the two governments; the agreement for the Waiver of Visa Requirements; an agreement geared at combating Illicit Trade of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and their Precursors; and work of the Joint Working Group in the Field of Geology and Subsoil Management.

President Granger highlighted that Guyana looks forward to strengthening relations with Russia, particularly, to the successful conclusion of agreements relating to investments and the mutual recognition of educational qualifications.

“Guyana will continue to collaborate at the multilateral level with Russia in pursuing our common interests, including action to combat the threats of transnational crime, the adverse effects of climate change and the securing of global peace and security,” the President affirmed.

With this 50th milestone approaching, the Russian ambassador noted that the Russian Government would like to strengthen the “cordial, open, friendly, and very fruitful relations” with Guyana

“We share common approaches to a number of issues on the global agenda, and we are looking forward to expanding our cooperation not only on the bilateral level but also within international mechanisms,” Kurmaz said.

Russia Day is the national holiday of the Russian Federation. It is celebrated annually and commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) on June 12, 1990.

The occasion also marks the adoption of the new Russian Constitution, a new national flag, national anthem and emblem and new name for the country — the Russian Federation.