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Guyana virtually unaffected by Britain’s EU vote – UK envoy
By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell
Guyana should not be worrying itself about being affected by Britain’s referendum to pull out from
UK High Commissioner, Greg Quinn
the European Union (EU). For one, according to a statement the Union released, “until this process of negotiations is over, the United Kingdom (UK) remains a member of the European Union, with all the rights and obligations that derive from this.” This has been confirmed by UK High Commissioner, Greg Quinn.
Aside from this, it is not to be expected that even after the pull out would have been made final, that either the relations between Guyana and the Union or the relations between Guyana and the UK will be affected.
From all indications Guyana will remain a beneficiary of the Union as it will of the UK. Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge told the media yesterday that there should be no “immediate” concern.
Greenidge said, “There is not likely to be any adverse short term consequence by way of a curtailing of resource flows or curtailment of access of let’s say sugar, or any other commodity into the European Union whatever may be the case in relation to Britain.”
Further, Kaieteur News spoke to Quinn who concurred that there should be no major changes anytime soon. He said, “There is no plan to change anything in the bilateral relationship. Bilateral funding and grants remain as they are. In terms of the EU we are still a member and will remain so until the leave negotiations are completed. That can take years.”
Figures show that 51.9 percent of Britons voted Thursday to leave the EU, while 48.1 percent wanted their country to remain in the trade bloc.
Yesterday the EU sent out a joint statement on the outcome of the UK referendum. It acknowledged
Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge
that in a free and democratic process, the British people have expressed their wish to leave the European Union. “We regret this decision but respect it.”
EU said that it is facing an unprecedented situation but remains united. “We will stand strong and uphold the EU’s core values of promoting peace and the well-being of its peoples. The Union of 27 Member States will continue.”
The Union said that it is the framework of its own common political future. “We are bound together by history, geography and common interests and will develop our cooperation on this basis. Together we will address our common challenges to generate growth, increase prosperity and ensure a safe and secure environment for our citizens. The institutions will play their full role in this endeavour.”
The EU also said that it expects the UK government to give effect to this decision of the British people as soon as possible, “however painful that process may be. Any delay would unnecessarily prolong uncertainty.”
The Union made it clear that it has rules to deal with the situation “in an orderly way as” Article 50 of the Treaty on European Union sets out the procedure to be followed if a Member State decides to leave the European Union.
“We stand ready to launch negotiations swiftly with the United Kingdom regarding the terms and conditions of its withdrawal from the European Union. Until this process of negotiations is over, the United Kingdom remains a member of the European Union, with all the rights and obligations that derive from this.
According to the Treaties which the United Kingdom has ratified, EU law continues to apply to the full to and in the United Kingdom until it is no longer a Member. As regards the United Kingdom, we hope to have it as a close partner of the European Union in the future. We expect the United Kingdom to formulate its proposals in this respect.
Any agreement, which will be concluded with the United Kingdom as a third country, will have to reflect the interests of both sides and be balanced in terms of rights and obligations.”
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