Granger accredits four new Ambassadors

Oct 09, 2015 News

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Four new non-resident Ambassadors to Guyana were accredited by President David Granger during separate ceremonies at the Ministry of the Presidency yesterday.

Letters of Credence were presented to Granger by Ambassador Pak Chang Yul of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Ambassador Nguyen Van Kien of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Ambassador Guy Sevrin of the Kingdom of Belgium as well as Ambassador Dominicus Supratikto of the Republic of Indonesia.

Korea

As Granger accepted the Letters of Credence from the North Korean Ambassador, he noted that as active members of the Non-Aligned Movement, both countries remain committed to the Principles of that movement.

The President said that the two Republics which share long standing bilateral relations, will remain committed to the principles of mutual non-aggression; mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs; mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and equality and co-operation for mutual benefit.

He said that they remain steadfast in their adherence to the precept of peaceful co-existence amongst states. Further, Granger said that his government will be looking forward to respectful relations between the two countries and assured full cooperation in the discharge of the non-resident Ambassador’s responsibilities.

The Ambassador indicated his commitment to working with the government to further strengthen ties.

The two countries established diplomatic relations on May 18, 1974. Ambassador Pak will be stationed in neighbouring Suriname.

Vietnam

The Vietnam Ambassador, Nguyen Van Kien assured President Granger that he will exert all of his effort to further develop friendly relations between the government and peoples of the two countries.

“We are committed and ready to work with Guyana for the development of friendly relations on the basis of mutually beneficial cooperation,” Ambassador Nguyen said.

He also commended the Government and people of Guyana for the successes achieved over the past 50 years in upholding state sovereignty, developing its national economy, and promoting social progress. The foreign diplomat also spoke highly of Guyana’s foreign policy, which speaks to peace, friendly relations and cooperation.

President Granger said the two have pursued relations based on the principles of mutual respect for each other’s independence, equality and cooperation for mutual benefit. “We reaffirm our commitment to pursue our relations with other states on the basis of peaceful co-existence,” the President said.

Granger said that Guyana accords great importance to the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations (UN) and takes seriously its obligations as a Member state, particularly as it relates to the peaceful settlement of disputes.

Like Guyana, Vietnam is also vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change and global warming, the President pointed out. He added that it is imperative that both nations work to find solutions to this existential threat.

“Guyana looks forward to cooperating with Vietnam to promote the achievement of a global agreement that takes cognizance of the vulnerabilities of states to vulnerabilities to climate-induced shocks,” he said.

Guyana and Vietnam established diplomatic relations on April 19, 1975, at a time when many small states were still fighting for their right to self-determination.

Belgium

As he accredited the Belgian Ambassador, President Granger remarked that there remains great scope for the strengthening and deepening relations between the two, particularly in the areas of economic and commercial cooperation and in advancing common interests within international organizations.

Guyana, Granger said, is committed to regional integration. Moreover, he expressed hope that Guyana as a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group (ACP) looks forward to deepening its engagements and cooperation with the European Union (EU) and its countries, in concert with those two international organisations.

He pointed out that Guyana accords great importance to the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations. “We are completely committed to the obligation as a member state of the United Nations to settle any disputes which are “…likely to endanger the maintenance of international peace and security….” by peaceful means and to desist from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any other state,” Granger said.

Belgium has consistently sought juridical settlements to its disputes with other countries, particularly through the International Court of Justice, he pointed out.

The President said Belgium’s experience in pursuing such peaceful resolution of conflicts would be of invaluable assistance to Guyana as it pursues the objective of a juridical settlement to a controversy arising out of threats to its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Guyana and Belgium established diplomatic relations on June 10, 1971.

Indonesia

As he accepted the Letters of Credence from Indonesian Ambassador Dominicus Supratikto, Granger recalled that country’s role in the establishment of the Conference of Heads of State or Government of the Non- Aligned Movement.

He said the country has since assumed an active role in regional and international organizations as it remains an influential voice within the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Group of 77 + China and the United Nations.

Granger said that despite the distance between the two countries, they continue to share common interests, goals and aspirations. Poverty, opposition to all forms of terrorism and combating climate change were among those he identified.

He said that Guyana anticipates working with the representatives of Indonesia to ensure that global solutions are found to the problems of developing nations, including problems that affect the security and survival of small states.

“Guyana anticipates progress will be made towards achieving a globally-binding agreement at the upcoming 21^st Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Paris in December 2015,” Granger said.

Granger hoped that with the Ambassador’s accreditation, the channels of communication between the two countries will be enhanced and with it cooperation on matters of mutual interest.

The two republics established diplomatic relations on August 27, 1999.

After the accreditation ceremonies, each Ambassador laid wreaths at the Independence Arch as part of paying homage to the country which they will serve.

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