October 26,2016 Source
THE European Commission on Tuesday handed over to Guyana the sum of twenty-four million, four hundred and twenty-four thousand euros (€24,424,000) — the equivalent of five billion, four hundred million, one hundred and fifty-three thousand, five hundred and twenty-seven Guyana dollars (Gy$5,400,153,527) — for the Action Programme adopted by this country under the Accompanying Measures Programme (AMP) for sugar.The disbursement comes at a time when the sugar industry is in deep financial crisis and is seeking a Government bailout of eighteen billion dollars (Gy$18B) next year to keep it afloat.
In addition to a twelve-billion-dollar (Gy$12B) subsidy received from the Government in 2015, the Guyana Sugar Corporation received another nine billion dollars (Gy$9B) in 2016, and has said it is seeking an additional $3.5 billion as subsidy for this year.
The European Union had, back in 2015, suspended the disbursements when then President, Donald Ramotar, prorogued Parliament to avoid a no-confidence motion against his minority government.
The Guyana Chronicle was told that Stefani Manservisi, Director General for International Cooperation and Development of the European Commission, handed over the funds to Guyana. Manservisi made the presentation during the ongoing meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States and European Union (CELAC-EU) being held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The EU had, some years ago, set aside 1.2 billion euros to assist the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries to reform their sugar sector in order to improve competitiveness or to diversify out of sugar; and Guyana has, over the years, benefited from this disbursement. In releasing the recent funds, the European Commission indicated that the Government of Guyana has made remarkable progress and commendable efforts in terms of budget transparency and accountability.
According to the Ministry, Manservisi emphasised that the European Union is committed to continue assisting Guyana in its transformation.
Finance Minister Winston Jordan, who is heading Guyana’s delegation at the conference, received the funds on behalf of this country. Jordan is accompanied by David Hales, Guyana’s Ambassador to Belgium and the EU, and Ms. Vonetta Victor of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Georgetown.
Meanwhile, during the meeting, foreign ministers of CELAC-EU will discuss the future of their partnership, and address strengthening dialogue and deepening mutual relations, common challenges and means of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Foreign Ministers will also take stock of the overall progress made so far. Such discussions should lead to concrete actions that have a direct and positive impact on the lives of citizens in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The EU objective for the meeting is to agree on substantial recommendations for rendering the EU-CELAC cooperation more political, operational and visible, to the benefit of citizens.
The two sides are also expected to discuss the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean Foundation (EU-LAC Foundation), and sign an agreement that establishes it as an international organisation. The aim of the EU-LAC is to transform and adapt the strategic partnership between the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean, adopted in 1999, into a strengthened and visible reality wherein the respective societies in both these regions can actively participate. Its specific mission is to connect the intergovernmental processes with businesses, academia, education, the social sector, as well as in a broader and general manner with the civil society of both regions.
The Foundation is also expected to promote the development of a joint and forward-looking global vision with shared strategies in both regions.
The EU and Latin America and the Caribbean have enjoyed privileged relations since the first bi-regional Summit held in BRAZIL IN 199, which established a strategic partnership. They are natural partners linked by strong historical, cultural and economic ties. Guyana’s National Coordinator to CELAC is Ambassador Audrey Jardine-Waddell, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
