Argentina making “significant strides” in fortifying diplomatic ties with Guyana

Jul 08, 2016 News

Argentina’s Ambassador to Guyana, Luis Alberto Martino

Argentina’s Ambassador to Guyana, Luis Alberto Martino, during a press briefing yesterday, told media operatives that his Government is making significant strides in strengthening its relations with Guyana.
The envoy stated that his government is committed to assisting the Guyana Government in several areas and is working closely with various local Government Ministries including the Ministry of Public Health; the Ministry of Public Security; the Arts and Culture arm of the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Agriculture.
In the 1980s, the Argentine Embassy in Guyana, due to several reasons – but mainly budgetary issues – was closed down. Martino was mandated by his Government in July 2011, with a mission to reopen the Embassy. After that venture was a success, he returned to Argentina the following year, only to be appointed the Chief of Missions here in 2013.
The Ambassador asserted that three years later both countries have achieved a lot. He continued that because of collaborative efforts, they were able to bring several projects to fruition. And while some projects are still on-going, more is being done to fortify ties.
PUBLIC SECURITY
Argentina in its own right is an expert in the area of Security but more particularly – Piracy.
The Ambassador disclosed that a proposal from Guyana’s Ministry of Public Security was submitted to him for assistance in the security sector, which he said emphasised that his country has the expertise.
He continued that the proposal consists of a series of security-related requests in the area of Computer Forensics, Medical forensics, etc.
“We’ve held discussions with the Ministry of Public Security here. We’ve agreed on a number of areas. I was able to submit the proposal to the Argentina government and we are now awaiting a response from them. “
While disclosing this, he added that this process will take some time because of the large number of areas that support is required.
“It is not one or two areas but rather, over twenty areas. This will take a bit of time, because the answer will not come one by one. We are waiting for all the packages to be finished then, hopefully, we’ll have a response in the next few months.”
CULTURE
The Ambassador said that he is also engaged in discussion with the Ministry of Education in the area of Arts and Culture. He intimated that they are working to have experts from Argentina in the area of Artefact Restoration to come to Guyana to restore and “bring back to life” some 40 to 50 masterpieces which he “understands” are sitting in the National Gallery “in the dark.”
He continued that Argentina already has information on these pieces and they have begun their recommendations on how to go about the restoration before they come here.
“Once this process of interchange is finished, then we will have a team of restoration experts to come to Guyana for the first assessment, and of course, this will be something that will take some time,” he added.
The Ambassador said that the underlying mission is to assist Guyana in the preservation of its heritage.

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