Argentina remains committed to reinvigorated physical presence in Guyana - new Ambassador accredited
Argentina’s Luis Alberto Martina has been actively involved in the process to reopen an Argentinean embassy in Guyana and now as the country’s resident Ambassador he is hoping to push for stronger bilateral ties and the development of mutual cooperation.
Today, he presented his letters of Credence to President Donald Ramotar in the presence of Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Robeson Benn, Director General in the Ministry Elisabeth Harper and Chief of Protocol Esther Griffith.
New Argentine Ambassador to Guyana Luis Alberto Martina presenting his letters of Credence to President Donald Ramotar
At the behest of the country’s President Cristina FernÁndez de Kirchner, Argentina had been aspiring to reopen an embassy in Guyana since June 2011 as a first step to strengthening its relation with the Caribbean region. The first Embassy was established in 1980, and operated until 1991.
The process saw the reopening of Argentinean Embassies in Barbados and the establishment of new ones in St Lucia and Suriname.
President Ramotar described the diplomatic move as a demonstration of the Argentinean Government’s keen desire to enhance bilateral relations and realise the potential for new opportunities.
As an observer state to the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) and friends with a country where the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is headquartered, the Argentinean Government intends to build diplomatic ties with the overall goal of strengthening South/South cooperation. Such efforts will be aided by the impetus to the Caricom/Argentina Joint Commission on Consultation, Cooperation and Coordination, which President Ramotar said will foster stronger ties between CARICOM and Argentina.
New Argentine Ambassador to Guyana Luis Alberto Martina shakes hands with President Donald Ramotar
Within the South American hemisphere, Argentina and Guyana have maintained their relationship at the level of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
Today, Ambassador Martina assured President Ramotar that the incorporation of Guyana and Suriname to Mercusor associate members, (an agreement made at the last Mercusor summit in Brazil last December) remains on the agenda,
Mercusor is a regional trade agreement among Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay which under UNASUR, is integrated with the Andean Community of Nations (a trade bloc comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru).
Ambassador Martina told President Ramotar that he is also highly appreciative of Guyana backing the legitimate right of Argentina to the “Malvinas” islands where there is a British colonial presence.
Guyana had supported the call for peaceful and constructive dialogue between the Government and the United Kingdom (UK) on the issue.
