– COVID-19, environmental management, investment and trade, among areas of focus

By Navendra Seoraj
THE European Union (EU) has been a longstanding partner of Guyana for over four decades, lending assistance in environmental management and other critical areas, assistance which will continue and even broaden as the country begins a new chapter under the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration.
The EU’s commitment to supporting Guyana was reaffirmed by the bloc’s Ambassador to Guyana, Fernando Ponz Canto, during an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle on Saturday.

According to the EU’s official website, its delegation in Guyana is part of the European External Action Service (EEAS) and is one of the more than 140 delegations of the EU, in the world.

The delegation in Guyana was established in December 1972 following the signature of the first Lomé Convention.
The EU, on its website, said its delegation represents the bloc in all matters of its competence. The delegation actively promotes the values and policies of the EU, in an open and equal partnership with the governments and people of the countries to which it is accredited.

The delegation also plays a key role in the implementation of the EU’s cooperation programmes and trade policies, focusing on poverty reduction and the smooth and gradual integration of the countries into the world economy.

In Guyana’s context, Ambassador Canto said the EU has been the country’s partner in the area of development cooperation.
To this end, the EU has invested millions of dollars to assist Guyana in strengthening its sea defence. It was reported that the bloc has provided over $20.1 billion (€85 million) in grant funding for the construction and rehabilitation of the country’s sea defence structures.

Environmental management in general, has been a critical focus of the EU, stretching from forest management and combatting climate change to protecting Indigenous communities.

Ambassador Canto also said the EU has been present in the socio-economic sectors, providing support to civil society and funding human-development projects. Going forward, the ambassador said one of the main areas of focus, in this regard, will be assisting the country in the fight against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
“We want to continue supporting in this area…we have already done a lot… there have been many donations through Rotary, which have gone to help people, but we want to do more,” said Ambassador Canto.

On the political front, Ambassador Canto said it is important to look at good governance and reforms, noting: “I am encouraged by the reforms that the administration is proposing, some of them concerning a possible constitutional reform, but it is up to Guyana to decide…our approach is not to impose but to support.”
The ambassador said the EU has so far conducted ‘useful’ and ‘good’ discussions with President, Dr. Irfaan Ali and ministers, on general issues like trade, and economic and business investments.

“My response is enthusiastic, we want to support increased EU investment, trade and all kind of relations with Guyana, but we have not gotten into specificities because we understand that the government is still within the first hundred days.”

“I have made it clear that I am happy to try to convince the European Union and we are already taking action to explain to the EU that it is a moment of opportunity and it is good for Europe to be present,” said Ambassador Canto.

While being optimistic about the future, the ambassador did not deny that there are challenges, but he is confident that those challenges will be addressed in an effective way, resulting in a brighter future for Guyana.