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Defence diplomacy to be key feature of Guyana’s foreign policy – President Ali
Kaieteur News – President Irfaan Ali on Friday said that his Government is working on promoting defence diplomacy as a key feature in Guyana’s foreign policy.
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, who addressed newly promoted ranks of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), at State House, explained that as Guyana continues to develop, new strategies will be pursued.
He called defence diplomacy, one of the “most critical links between our foreign policy, our defence mechanism and our development strategy”.
President Irfaan Ali (Center) and Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) Brigadier Godfrey Bess (seated third left) with senior officers of the Force and the recently promoted ranks.
“We are now going to embark on having defence diplomacy as a key feature of our foreign policy and a key feature of our national architecture,” the President said.
Another important strategy the Government is pursuing in its development agenda is to prepare members of the GDF for continued contribution to the development of the country.
He posited that it is the training and experience of the GDF that will be converted into an “additional knowledge set” to position the force to produce men and women to be a part of the country’s defence diplomacy.
“So, as you embark on this journey, know that we are going to call upon you to contribute in a more significant way,” the Office of the President quoted the President as saying.
President Irfaan Ali with senior female officers of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF)
President Ali also thanked the Chief of Staff of the GDF, Brigadier Godfrey Bess for his “very strong commitment” over the last two years in transforming the GDF and integrating it into the country’s development plan.
This, the President said, has helped to bolster and improve the standing of the military in Guyana.
“There is greater respect. There is greater honour shown to military officers, because you’re delivering a lot more positive development and contributions in communities themselves, and this is not going unnoticed,” President Ali said.
Guyana’s increasing international presence and partnerships, he explained, gives the GDF the opportunity to “shine” and stand out.
“There are many regional institutions that are asking me for officers by name, because of courses you would have attended and the way you conducted yourself and the way you presented yourself,” the Head of State added while calling on ranks to full advantage of the training opportunities provided by the GDF and the Government.
“Stay true to your oath of office. Stay true to professionalism. Stay true to the rule of law. Stay true to democracy and trust me, once you stay true to those principles, nothing can ever block you and your future from being better.”
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