Guyana to benefit from permanent mechanism between Turkey, CELAC

GINA, GUYANA, Wednesday, May 3, 2017

Guyana stands to benefit in several sectors now that a permanent mechanism has been established between the Republic of Turkey and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).

Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge led a team from Guyana to Istanbul, Turkey from April 20-22 at the fourth meeting of the Quartet of Foreign Ministers of CELAC and Turkey.

At a press conference held today, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Minister Greenidge noted that the ministerial level meeting saw the joint declaration on the establishment of a permanent mechanism of cooperation between CELAC and Turkey.

This mechanism will see CELAC and Turkey meeting yearly to discuss a set of common issues. Director General of Foreign Affairs, Audrey Waddle noted that previously the meeting between CELAC and Turkey was “ad hoc”.

Already, CELAC and Turkey and have a range of projects that is being looked at. The cementing of relations between the organisation and the country will see continued discussion on the setting up of an economic legal framework between CELAC and Turkey.

“That will include the conclusion of bilateral and multilateral agreements on trade and investments,” Waddle noted. There will also be increased collaboration in the areas of tourism, increased connectivity in terms of flight between the Region and Turkey and establishment of a forum for small and medium -sized enterprises.

The permanent mechanism will also see the exploration of cooperation in the field of energy, joint exploration of mineral, geothermal

resources and promoting projects in the area of renewable energy.

Minister Greenidge said that these are concrete interests between CELAC and Turkey. “Turkey is a country with enormous capacity in terms of industrial and administrative capacity to do things…and therefore it is a partner at the bilateral and at a regional level,” Minister Greenidge said.

Guyana particularly stands to benefit from assistance from Turkey in border disputes. “They have an arrangement in place whereby they assist Belize and they assist in the dialogue between Belize and Guatemala over the border controversy,” Minister Greenidge explained. Guyana, like Belize, is also in dispute over its borders with neighbouring Venezuela.

Turkey is an important and rising geo-economic influence in the world and serves as a socio-cultural, political and economic bridge between Europe and the Middle East, Minister Greenidge stated.

Turkey has also been increasing its footprint as a donor state and has been investing in the Latin American Caribbean region.  A Latin American Caribbean action plan was devel0ped in 1998, and Turkey has since supported the Region, as well as Guyana in areas such as health and education, disaster relief among other.

Meanwhile the Minister also updated the media on the recent state visit to the United Kingdom with President David Granger. The Minister noted that the Guyana delegation met with investors among other activities during the week- long visit.

 

By: Tiffny Rhodius