Guyana-Venezuela relations solid

Georgetown, GINA, August 31, 2013

 

President Donald Ramotar said that Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s visit to Guyana is testimony of the friendship that the two countries have developed over the years, and it consolidates the work of the late President Hugo Chavez, who he described as a great integrationist and visionary.

 

During a social encounter at the Guyana International Conference Center (GICC), Liliendaal, President Ramotar recalled that under the late Chavez’s leadership, not only did the Guyana-Venezuela relationship improved, but Guyana’s involvement in South America as a whole.

President Donald Ramotar delivering his remarks during the social encounter with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro at the Guyana International Conference Center

 

He explained that given the fact that globalisation has taken on a life of its own in the world today; there are great benefits in improving relations.  “For centuries the two countries have been neighbours but knew very little of each other, we allowed the language and cultural differences to keep us apart for too long. It is clear that we have a lot to gain by coming closer together and tapping into the great potential that exists,” President Ramotar said.

 

Today’s meeting saw the two sides reaffirming their commitment and determination to cooperate in all spheres to bring benefits to the people of Guyana and Venezuela and the continent as a whole.

 

 

The Guyanese Head of State also pointed out that closer bilateral tie can also make countries immune to financial and economic crises that can cause grave damage to the continent and its people.

Presidents Donald Ramotar and Nicolas Maduro in a handshake at the Guyana International Conference Center

 

The two parties revitalised the work of the working groups that were set up and significant progress has made in the discussions that were held on Friday between delegations from both countries.

 

President Ramotar emphasised the need for the implementation of those plans and ideas so as to open doors for further cooperation, knowledge and appreciation of each other.

 

“We will continue to work to strengthen relationships with the Government and people of Venezuela, and we will continue to improve the relationship between South America and the Caribbean so that we can have a more enlarged area of friendship, market, trade, cultural exchange and development of our people,” the Guyanese President said.

 

He added that South America and the Caribbean must always be a zone of peace and urged countries to strive to promote peaceful solutions through dialogue. This view, he said, is shared by both Guyana and Venezuela.

 

Meanwhile, President Maduro in his remarks spoke of the need all peoples in South America to build a single identity. He noted that Guyana and Venezuela have already laid the foundation for such harmony.

 

He clarified that the joining together of Latin America and the Caribbean into one powerful bloc, will not be done with the intention to dominate or be aggressive; but rather to ensure democracy, economic prosperity, happiness and freedom for all peoples.

 

Presentations were also made by the Women’s Affairs Bureau (speaking on gender equality and women’s issues), Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Guyana (FITUG) and from the Farmer’s Association.

 

 

The visiting President and his delegation, which includes his wife, Cilia Flores were also treated to a cultural programme, which reflected Guyana’s diversity.