A screenshot of Julie Chung, Acting US Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs during the meeting
March 5 ,2021
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, yesterday met virtually with Acting US Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, Julie Chung and notified her of the recent incursion into this country’s airspace by two Venezuelan fighter jets.
Yesterday’s meeting was the highest known contact between Georgetown and the Biden administration which took up office on January 20 this year.
A release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said that among areas of mutual interest, Todd and Chung discussed regional stability, democracy, and the enhancement of bilateral relations through economic and security cooperation.
Todd, the release said, conveyed his gratitude for the continued support Guyana receives from the United States on the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy. The Minister further informed of the recent actions of Venezuela, including this week’s incursion into Guyana’s airspace, which resulted in the issuance of a protest note.
The release said that Chung conveyed her optimism for relations between Guyana and the US. She stated that the Biden Administration is focused on democracy, values, human rights, and climate change, goals which the US shares with Guyana.
The Foreign Minister and Acting Assistant Secretary noted that agreements inked during the visit of former US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, and the recent visit of US Southern Command Admiral Craig Faller have helped to advance economic and security ties between Guyana and the US. These, along with continued engagements with US Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch, further demonstrate the shared values of the two countries, the release said.
Todd and Chung also discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the region and exchanged views on methods to stimulate recovery through private-sector investment and the strengthening of institutions. They also spoke about the ongoing migrant situation and Guyana’s humanitarian response through the recent resuscitation of the Multi-agency Coordinating Committee for Addressing the Influx of Venezuelan Migrants and ongoing collaboration with international partners.