RESPONSE BY
HIS EXCELLENCY BHARRAT JAGDEO
PRESIDENT OF THE COOPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA
TO SPEECH BY
HER EXCELLENCY SHADIA FARRAG, AMBASSADOR OF THE
ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT TO GUYANA - January 25, 2002

I am pleased to accept the Letters of Credence by which the President of the Arab Republic of Egypt accredits you as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
The kind greeting which you have brought from your esteemed President, His Excellency Mohamed Hosni Mubarak is greatly appreciated. I would ask that you be good enough to convey my thanks to His Excellency along with my best wishes for his continued good health and happiness.
Although you have recently come, you may have noticed in Georgetown our Monument of the Non-Aligned Movement and the bust of the late President Nasser whose inspired leadership helped to make the Movement a reality. It is a symbol of the links which exist between our two countries.
As you have stated Excellency, Guyana and Egypt have enjoyed friendly and cooperative relations that span three decades. Our association has been formed in various international for a such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 77 and more recently the Organisation of Islamic Conference. It is my hope that our cooperation will be strengthened in our campaign for a just and equitable world for our peoples. In this regard, I wish to express our appreciation for Egypt’s support to Guyana during our Chairmanship of the Group of 77 and China.
Excellency, today my government remains focussed on the challenges of poverty reduction, employment generation and sustainable development as we seek to overcome economic and social problems. Despite many obstacles, we are determined to achieve progress.
We believe that through sound democratic principles, good governance and a policy of inclusion of all the people of Guyana we will be able to live in peace and prosperity. In this regard, we are heartened, by your words of encouragement and support.

As you observed, Excellency, there is need for improvement in our bilateral relations. Guyana and Egypt should continue to work together to translate our friendship and cooperation at the multilateral level into bilateral programmes of cooperation for our mutual benefit.
In bidding you a warm welcome to Guyana, I wish to assure you of our readiness to assist you in the discharge of the mandate entrusted to you. I invite you to visit often and to enjoy the beauty of our country.