European Union, Guyana host Political Dialogue

With the objective of exchanging information to foster mutual understanding, and to facilitate the establishment of agreed priorities and shared agendas, the Fourth Round of European Union-Guyana Political Dialogue in the framework of Article 8 of the ACP-EU Cotonou Agreement took place on June 27, 2016 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guyana.

According to a statement from the European Delegation here, the political dialogue was multifaceted and dealt with bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual interest. Discussions included many issues of common interest for both parties, such as political developments and economic affairs; EU-Guyana and regional development cooperation; human rights and governance; security; climate change; and regional integration.

The previous rounds of Political Dialogue between Guyana and the EU took place in 2009, 2010 and 2014.

The EU is the main provider of grant funding to Guyana which has been significant since cooperation began in 1976. The EU has contributed to the development of several sectors in Guyana including the Private Sector with regards to agro-processing, the Linden Economic Advancement Programme (LEAP), ChildLink, Poverty Reduction Budget Support Programme, Help & Shelter, and the Muritaro Village Council.

The dialogue concluded with the two sides expressing their satisfaction on its usefulness in the context of EU-Guyana relations; they have agreed to hold the next round of Political Dialogue in one year’s time.

The Guyanese delegation was headed by Carl Greenidge MP, Second Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and included Ambassador Audrey Jardine- Waddell, Director General (ag) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as other Senior Officials of the Ministry.

The EU side was headed by the Ambassador of the European Union, Mr. Jernej Videtič and included British High Commissioner Mr. Greg Quinn, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Lutz Görgens, Ambassador of the French Republic, Mr. Michel Prom and Political Counsellor of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Maurice Pourchez.