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Response by His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo
President of the Republic of Guyana to the Speech by
His Excellency Per Doran Eklund
Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Commission
Excellency,
It is my pleasant duty to accept the Letters of Credence by which you are
accredited Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the Commission of the
European Communities to the Republic of Guyana and also to receive the Letter
of Recall of your predecessor.
From the inception of our three decade old relationship the European Union has been a major partner in our national development trust. As a result of the continuing financial and technical assistance by the EU over the years, we have moved closer to our goal of sustainable development. The allocation of 48 million euros over the five year period 2002-2007 outlined in the Country Strategy Paper and National Indicative Programme underscores the magnitude of the EU’s commitment, for which Guyana is sincerely appreciative.
The areas of EU support to Guyana have been many and varied. The Linden Advancement Programme (LEAP) aimed at promoting economic diversity in Linden through investment and business ventures is an example of the Commission’s continued commitment to improving capacity building in Guyana through cooperation with the government of Guyana and the private sector. Our Country Strategy Paper and the National indicative Programme with the EU emphasise greater focus on the vital areas of sea defence, education, water, low cost housing and healthcare. The EU support of the government of Guyana in reallocating resources for the improvement in potable water supply in Linden has been most helpful as have been the training opportunities offered by the EU to Guyanese in diverse fields.
The EU market has been an important destination for Guyana’s exports especially sugar, rum and rice which are traded under special protocols and preferential arrangements. These preferential regimes have been eroded over the years. Further erosion of these preferential regimes is of particular concern to the government and people of Guyana as they may not only result in economic dislocations but also pose serious societal problems.
As demonstrated at the WTO Ministerial Meeting in Cancun, Guyana is fully committed to the multilateral trading system, recognising the value of a truly free, fair, rules-based and predictable system of governance for international trade practices. However, for the multilateral trading system to bring tangible benefits to all involved, there is a need to ensure that adequate policy space is maintained to enable small economies such as Guyana to face the enormous adjustment that is required of them.
To better integrate into the global economy, Guyana has joined with small
developing countries to press for special and differential treatment. For
only through such treatment, we can hope to make a safe and successful transition
to a fully liberalised global economy.
I therefore urge all our economic partners and more particularly the EU to do their utmost, in a spirit of true partnership, to assist Guyana as it seeks to overcome the challenges of poverty and underdevelopment and to build a better future for its people.
With these words I welcome you to our land. You will have the full cooperation and support of my government in the discharge of your new duties.
Thank you.
Office
of the President
Georgetown
October
8, 2003
