Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
Guyana-Mexico celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations
President Donald Ramotar said that there is much that Guyana and Mexico can accomplish at the regional level within the Community of Latin American and Caribbean Nations to improve the standard of living of their peoples and to deepen the integration amongst the two countries.
This was mentioned in his message to the President of the Republic of Mexico, Enrique Pena Nieto in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
President Donald Ramotar and Mexico’s Ambassador to Guyana His Excellency Francisco Olguin toast at the observance of Mexico’s 202nd Independence Anniversary.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett and Mexican Ambassador Fernando Sandoval (in 2011) signed the Memorandum of Understanding to set up a consultative mechanism.
President Ramotar said that the foundation of Guyana’s relations with Mexico is firmly built on the principles of solidarity, strategic partnership and a steadfast dedication towards the improvement of the lives of the peoples of both nations.
He expressed gratitude to Mexico for the assistance and areas of cooperation that Guyana has benefitted from over the last four decades.
“It is my hope that we can continue to work together to preserve and strengthen these bonds for the mutual benefit of our countries and peoples. I look forward to working with you in this regional mechanism to promote the interests and welfare of the peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean as a whole,” he said.
Guyana and Mexico established bilateral relations in March 1973. However, these relations have since been significantly strengthened with the establishment of a Mexican Embassy in 2009.
Since then several agreements have materialised including a technical and scientific cooperation agreement and another which caters for the abolition of visas for holders of diplomatic and service passports.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett in her message on this important milestone, pointed to the areas of technical and economic cooperation between the two countries within the international and regional community.
In September 2011, Guyana and Mexico inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), for the establishment of a consultative mechanism that focused on all aspects of bilateral relations the two countries share, including political, economic, scientific, technical and cultural.
In February 2009, the Government of Mexico began to issue unilateral long-term visas for up to 10 years multiple entries for Guyana nationals for the purpose of tourism and business and two years for trans-migrants.
This initiative was reciprocated by Guyana when the Government took the decision to grant similar visa entries for Mexican nationals.
Mexican Ambassador Francisco Olguin recalled that in the 1970s Guyana and Mexico participated actively in the movement for a New International Economic Order and sought to maintain an independent position from the capitalist and communist blocks.
He said that despite all the challenges of the 70s and 80s, the two countries maintained their objectives of ensuring respect for their national sovereignty, the promotion of economic and social development as well as advancing regional integration.
Ambassador Olguin also spoke highly of Guyana’s efforts at the level of the United Nations for a New Global Human Order, which he said Mexico fully endorses.
“We look forward to a more intense relationship with Guyana and the countries of this region, joining forces in partnership to promote our ideals of integration, solidarity and development,” he said.
The Government of Guyana values the influence that the Caricom/Mexico forum can engender with the challenges facing today’s world. Both countries share common concerns of peace and security in the Caribbean region and are also active partners on numerous issues in the international forum including climate change.
A significant number of Guyanese students received scholarships under the Bicentennial Scholarships for Professional Technicians offered to the Caricom by the Mexican Government.
These students benefitted from the full package that entailed waived enrollment fees, a monthly allowance of US $400, a four-month Spanish course prior to the beginning of the studies, full medical insurance coverage from the Mexican Social Security Institute, and international air transportation at the beginning and end of the scholarship.
The Mexico scholarships were initiated in commemoration of 200 years of Independence and 100 years of the Mexican Revolution. (GINA)
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