Foreign Affairs Minister reveals increasing relations despite challenges

Apr 10, 2014 News

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Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, has spoken among other things to the strengthening bilateral relations that Guyana shares with its CARICOM and Latin American neighbours.
While the Minister was full of praise of Guyana’s diplomatic relations, there are challenges that need to be addressed.
According to Birkett, “Our relations with Brazil continue to be strengthened with several programmes of cooperation. The major focus in recent times has been the work being conducted on several major infrastructure projects.”

Some of those projects include, a Joint Commission dedicated to addressing the paving of the Linden-Lethem Road by “firstly completing an engineering design of the road; development of hydropower which if feasible, will see the export of excess energy to Brazil and a new source of revenue for our country and the development of a deep water port.”
She outlined that these initiatives have the potential to develop the country and pledged that it will be done “in a consultative manner ensuring that we consider all of the impacts.”
The Foreign Affairs Minister then spoke of relations with Suriname. Work continues to deepen relations with that country. “The fact that our two countries are the only CARICOM (Caribbean Community) States that share contiguous borders makes for a special relationship within the Community moreso”, she said in the area of agriculture.
She further said, “Guyana and Suriname are also the only two CARICOM States that are members of the Union of South American Nations and have the status as Associate members of MERCOSUR.
“It makes sense therefore, for Guyana to develop the kinds of relations with the Republic of Suriname.”
She underscored in that context that Guyana views not only its diplomatic, political and trade links with the rest of South America, but also the infrastructure initiatives that are being pursued.
Key amongst those she outlined “is the Corentyne River Bridge that will, with the exiting Takutu Bridge, allow for the transport of goods by land from Albina in Eastern Suriname, to Lethem and Boa Vista in Brazil and farther afield.
“We are very pleased with the developments thus far, in terms of the discussions with the Chinese Government and the Government of Suriname regarding the construction of the Corentyne Bridge.”
Mention was also made of the land border matter where Suriname is laying claim to lands bordering Guyana.  She said that “fruitful” discussions were held thrice with members of the Guyana Border Commission and the Integral National Border Commission of Suriname.
According to Birkett, Guyana remains respectful and fully supportive of the agreements arrived at between the United Kingdom and The Netherlands between 1929 and 1939.  “Guyana remains convinced that those agreements were the result of good faith efforts at delimitation and culminated with a draft treaty which is just, albeit unsigned,” she said.
Birkett then spoke about Venezuela where she posited the incident involving the interception of the research vessel RC Teknik Perdana while in Guyana’s waters. The Foreign Affairs Minister explained that “our two countries had agreed for discussions on our maritime boundaries to commence at the technical level.
“Unfortunately, events in Venezuela conspired to ensure that, that meeting did not take place.  Discussions have been held and it is envisaged that this should take place within a few months.”
She did outline however, that Guyana still continues to purchase oil under the Petro Caribe arrangement “as we export rice to that sister country.”
Birkett stressed that “as it is for all our neighbours we will continue to analyse our relations.”
 CARICOM and Guyanese emergency treatment in Trinidad
The Foreign Affairs Minister outlined that Guyana continues to tangibly demonstrate its commitment to the CARICOM integration movement.
She articulated that Guyana’s trade policy is underpinned by the country’s rights and obligations under the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas establishing the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). “In this regard, also, Guyana’s external trade policy is widely coordinated within CARICOM, including external trade negotiations with countries…In 2013, our overall exports to the region was G$22.3 billion, doubling the $10.3 billion in 2012.
“This growth is accounted mainly by increased exports of rice, sugar, molasses, seafoods, lumber and rum.”
Birkett then spoke to the incident of a Guyanese being refused emergency treatment in Trinidad, where she pronounced that “there is agreement by all CARICOM countries that there will be no question about emergency for CARICOM nationals.
“I have spoken with my Trinidadian colleague and he promised to submit a Report on what transpired. He did not mention that what was reported is untrue.”
She articulated further that if the story taken from the Trinidadian Guardian is true then “I must indicate my deep concern with the remarks of the Minister of Health of Trinidad and Tobago when he wondered aloud about setting up a policy where visitors must have medical insurance before they enter that country.
“This is very worrying especially since it comes from the country that benefits most from the CSM and has implications for nationals from all CARICOM countries.”
The Guyanese, Sookram died on Thursday last in Trinidad, in the back seat of a car owned by a relative. His wife, Vidya Baichu, said that he was refused treatment at the Mount Hope Complex because he was a foreigner.
Trinidad’s Health Minster Dr. Faud Khan has since ordered the abolishment of the signing of a financial guarantee form for persons seeking emergency medical treatment at the Mount Hope Medical complex where the Guyanese was reportedly denied access.
This form it was reported might have been responsible for the death since the Minister of Health explained that the Guyanese wife might have “panicked” upon seeing the form and left the hospital with her husband.
“He could not say how “many foreigners seek medical attention at Mount Hope without paying, but said that as long as they are treated, payment is not demanded.”

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