EU ambassador visits PM, gives assurance of continued support
AMBASSADOR Robert Kopecký of the Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Guyana paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister, Moses Nagamootoo assuring him that the EU will continue to support Guyana in every way possible. Speaking briefly at the Prime Minister’s Office located within the Ministry of the Presidency, Ambassador Kopecký explained that the EU has been assisting the country in many ways for decades and assured the Prime Minister and his ministers that the EU will continue to do so.
“We have always supported the ACP (Africa Caribbean and Pacific) countries in their time of need or just when they would have need [for] some moral support,” the Ambassador stated. He related also that the first EU meeting was held in Georgetown on 6th June, 1975 and “only recently we celebrated 40 years of cooperation with the ACP countries.”
The Ambassador stated that his delegation will be discussing many areas where the EU could be of assistance and the sugar sector is high on their list of issues to be discussed. “We will be discussing sugar which is high on our agenda; we will be delivering from the call that was made during the Prime Minister’s recent speech at the Enmore Martyrs’ day commemoration.”
Kopecký also mentioned that he will be discussing the present condition of the seawall and Guyana’s sea defences and “all possible infrastructures that the EU can be of assistance to.”
The EU Ambassador also spoke of the disadvantages of the prorogation of the 10th Parliament and how much it has affected Guyana’s economy. “I was honoured to have been invited to the convening of the 11th Parliament. The country was placed on hold for long enough and we are seeing clear commitment of the new Government; they are looking to improve the well-being of the country.”
Lastly, he related that the EU will be looking to help in the restoration of as many of Guyana’s heritage buildings as possible. “How we will be able to help to restore the unique and incredibly beautiful cultural buildings of Guyana, this is a step to have Guyana enlisted in the World UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) heritage site.”
The Prime Minister for his part thanked the Ambassador for his visit and noted that “this [was a] visit to say hello, but it seems as though you have come with some goodies.”
Nagamootoo explained that he is looking to have a fruitful discussion and as such, he has also invited his subject ministers to be involved in the discussion. “We are all looking for a fruitful discussion.”
Also attending the meeting were Minister of Public Infrastructure, David Patterson; Minister of Governance, Raphael Trotman; Minister of Finance, Winston Jordan; Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan, and Minister of Agriculture, Noel Holder.