HIS Excellency Dr. Leslie Satruken Ramsammy officially presented his Letters of Credence to Her Excellency Viola Amherd, the President of the Swiss Confederation, on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, marking his formal accreditation as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to Switzerland.

The ceremony took place at the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs in Bern.
Following the presentation, Ambassador Ramsammy engaged in a private audience with President Amherd, where he provided an overview of the ongoing Guyana-Venezuela Border Controversy.
He emphasised that the last significant agreement regarding the issue was signed in Geneva in 1966, which laid out methods for resolving the dispute and allowed for recourse to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
This legal process, initiated by Guyana in 2018, seeks to bring clarity and resolution to the long-standing territorial disagreement.

President Amherd acknowledged the current diplomatic ties between Guyana and Switzerland, noting that both nations serve as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
She expressed hope for a smooth resolution to the ICJ proceedings, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in addressing such matters.

Guyana and Switzerland have enjoyed diplomatic relations since May 24, 1977, and have established several agreements, including the reciprocal waiver of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic or official passports, extradition protocols, and investment protection measures. Notably, the Swiss embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, also represents Switzerland’s interests in Guyana.

The meeting between Ambassador Ramsammy and President Amherd not only solidifies diplomatic relations but also highlights the ongoing commitment of both countries to collaborate on international issues of mutual concern.