A TEAM of the visiting Ambassadors of the European Union (EU) have been briefed about the current situation here and have stated that they are satisfied that even amid the political challenges, good governance and democracy are active.
The remarks came from EU Ambassador to Guyana, Jernej Videti?, on behalf of the visiting team of 11 members and Minister Counsellor/Deputy Head of the Delegation of the EU, Philippe Coessens.

The envoys met with Attorney General Basil Williams, SC, at his Carmichael Street Chambers on Monday. Videti? told media operatives that while the trip to the country was planned long before the no-confidence matter, the delegation took the opportunity to conduct visits to assess the country’s political situation and, from the AG’s Chambers, sought a “legal perspective”. “The Attorney General was giving us a good overview of the situation and how he predicts things will be happening in the future,” the Ambassador said. “This really happened without us planning. We were planning this meeting quite a few months ago not knowing what would be happening here, so it’s pure coincidence.”

Similar visits have come from the Carter Center and Chiefs of Mission from the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and EU. Videti? stated that more visits are expected while the group is in the country and one such will soon ensue with Opposition Leader, Bharrat Jagdeo. “We have many other more meetings coming; we have the Opposition Leader. So we’ll go around and hear from many people and get informed of what is happening here,” he stated, adding: “For us, it is important to see that there is good governance and that democracy is working [and] that the principals are respected of democracy. This is what we shared and we are satisfied with what we heard.”

Meanwhile, Minister Williams told the media that the ambassadors wanted to have some insight from him about the state of things in relation to governance with specific reference to the no-confidence motion that is before the Caribbean Court of Justice. “I gave them an overview of the prevailing situation in terms of the holding of elections in all the circumstances and the issues that were raised in the courts, both at the first instance level and the Court of Appeal and issues that are being taken to the highest court, the Caribbean Court of Justice,” Williams stated.

The Attorney General noted that the same team which has bolstered the recent legal proceedings will be taking up similar positions for defending the Court of Appeal ruling on the no-confidence motion. Hearing of the Opposition’s appeal is set for May 10, 2019, at the CCJ.