Guyana courts France for development assistance

Though challenged by natural disasters and limited resources, the Government of Guyana is determined to ensure the safety of its people and to improve their lives.

First Vice President and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and France’s Ambassador to Guyana Michel Prom share a toast at the France’s National Day (Bastille Day) commemoration at Cara Lodge

In this regard, it will continue to count on the support of its developmental partners, including the Government and people of France, says First Vice President and Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo who was performing the duties of the president while President Granger was in Brazil last week. The Prime Minister was at the time addressing the commemoration of the National Day of the Republic of France (Bastillle Day) which was held Friday evening at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street, Georgetown.

In his address, the Prime Minister expressed Guyana’s appreciation to the Government of France for its support over the years, especially in providing for debt-relief and for offering economic and technical cooperation in several areas. He noted that all of these meaningful efforts have contributed significantly to Guyana’s well being.

“We hope that in the near future, we could secure opportunities for training in ‘weather forecasting’, as well as humanitarian assistance for flood victims,” he said. He also stated that the Government is also looking forward to further enhancing cooperation with France, particularly in the areas of trade, foreign economic investment and crime fighting. He expressed the hope that the formalization of the Guyana’s Honorary Consulate in Cayenne, French Guiana, would help to boost these efforts.

The acting President reiterated the Government of Guyana support in the fight against climate change, both domestic and internationally while acknowledging the crucial role that France has played in the global process. “Our future depends on a comprehensive, holistic approach to global warming and climate change,” the Prime Minister said. “If we are to leave behind a world for the benefit of future generations, we must ensure its sustainable existence, and this should remain the primary goal of the international community,” he said.

To this end, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that the 21st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Convention on Climate Change (UNCCC,) scheduled for Paris, France in December, results in “a balanced outcome representing the concerns of both the developed and developing countries.” The Prime Minister also stressed that this country will count on the friendship of France and the French people, “as we stand up resolutely against coercive attempts to frustrate our development and to threaten our territorial integrity.”

Prime Minister, First Vice-President and President (acting) Moses Nagamootoo addressing the reception to commemorate France’s National Day (Bastille Day) at Cara Lodge, Quamina Street

Meanwhile, France’s Ambassador to Guyana Michel Prom assured that Guyana’s contribution at the UNCCC summit will be, “important to the success of the conference.”He  took the opportunity to thank the authorities and the people of Guyana for the solidarity shown earlier in the year with regards to the Paris bombing and to this end, reiterated cooperation in the field of security. Noting the attention that President Granger has been giving to the opening of the Guyana Consulate in Cayenne, the French Ambassador said this move will provide for greater regional integration.

Also present were, Minister of Governance and acting Foreign Affairs Minister Raphael Trotman, Minister of Public Security Khemraj Ramjattan and Minister of Business and Investment Dominic Gaskin. Bastille Day, the annual celebration, known to the French as “La FÊte Nationale” is a nationwide holiday that commemorates the anniversary of the liberation of France marked by the storming of Bastille. The medieval prison called Bastille, was where political prisoners were held for capricious reasons and had no chance of appeal at the hands of Louis XVI’s royal government. Bastille became a symbol of the monarchy and was targeted by the people of Paris, when they stormed the fortress on July 14, 1789. (GINA)