President Bharrat Jagdeo addresses the gathering at the Russian Federation National Day at the Cara Inn.
At right is Russian Ambassador to Guyana H.E. Valdimir Starikov- Thursday, June 12, 2003. O.P Photo by Adrian Ally

Please allow me, on behalf of the Government and People of Guyana and on my own behalf, to extend to His Excellency President Putin and the Government and People of Russia, warmest congratulations on this special anniversary of the Day of Proclamation of the Sovereignty of the Russian Federation.

As one who has had the opportunity to live amongst the Russian people during my University years, I can understand the feeling of pride that this day will evoke.

To this day, I still have very many pleasant memories of my stay in your delightful country.

My recent visit to Russia allowed me to witness the growth which has taken place in the economy as well as the many progressive changes to which you, Excellency, have alluded. These encouraging developments augur well for the further advancement of the Russian society.

I was particularly pleased to be able to meet with President Putin to personally express our gratitude for the valuable assistance which Guyana has received from Russia in several areas, including the training of a large number of professionals. I am very happy that together we were able to focus on areas where there is clearly scope for greater cooperation such as in Bauxite and Fisheries. The visit last April of the representatives from one of the most important companies in Russia and the discussions I had in Moscow, left me with much optimism about their involvement in our Bauxite Sector. Similarly, I believe that there are good prospects for reviving activities under our existing Agreement on Fisheries Cooperation. Naturally, I would welcome investment in other key sectors and therefore encourage visits from other Russian companies to explore the many opportunities available in our country.

Your Excellency, the friendly and cooperative relations which Guyana and Russia enjoy at the bilateral level, afford us the opportunity to work effectively in pursuit of the international agenda.

As a small state, Guyana is not only faced with the challenge of survival in the now entrenched system of trade liberalization, but we must also cope with the threats of trans-boundary crime and terrorism to our economies.

Unless vulnerable economies such as ours are insulated from unfair competition, the outlook for our development remains clouded. Accordingly, we continue to make the case for additional funding and special and differential treatment.

The development agenda is of course inextricably linked to peace and security. Indeed, the several problems which are now global in nature - terrorism, drug trafficking and crime - should prompt us towards greater collaboration in seeking collective ways to rid our societies of these ills.

We share the view espoused by Russia, a Permanent Member of the Security Council that the world order must be based on peace and stability. In this regard, Guyana will continue to advance its call for a New Global Human Order in the belief that equity and social justice are essential to the harmonious relations between peoples as well as states.

At the regional level, Guyana welcomes the initiation of a wider dialogue between the Caribbean Community and the Russian Federation. Such exchanges, if conducted on a regular basis can lead to greater understanding and cooperation among our countries and peoples.

Excellency, the task of community or nation building is never an easy one and I thank you most sincerely for your kind words of encouragement as we in Guyana strive to preserve our democratic gains and to advance the living standards of our citizens.

I am indeed heartened that in the past weeks, we have succeeded in a breaking of new ground in the relations between my Administration and the leading opposition party.

(His Excellency "Speaking in Russian..............)

Your Excellency, Ladies and Gentlemen: On this note, I take great pleasure in proposing a toast to the continued good health of the President of the Russian Federation, His Excellency Vladimir Putin, to the continued prosperity of the people of the Russian Federation and to the further strengthening of the relations between Guyana and the Russian Federation.

Thank You.