Prime Minister Rowley and President Granger Commit to Strengthening Ties

Prime Minister Dr. the Honourable Keith Rowley met this morning (Wednesday 15th February, 2017) with His Excellency Brigadier David A. Granger, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and members of the Guyanese Cabinet at State House, Main Street, Georgetown, Guyana.

Prime Minister Rowley was accompanied by Minister of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Senator the Honourable Dennis Moses and Press Secretary Ms. Arlene Gorin-George.

President Granger’s team included the Hon. Carl B. Greenidge, 2nd Vice President and Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Raphael G.C. Trotman, Minister of Natural Resources and the Hon. Noel Leroy Holder, Minister of Agriculture.

Talks focused on strengthening the relationship between the two countries and the exploration of mutually beneficial development opportunities.

The leaders identified a number of areas where agreements between the two countries existed, but were expired or not fully operationalized.

These included the renewal and furtherance of an expired Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2013 for cooperation in energy and energy-related matters; full recognition of Caribbean Airlines as Guyana’s national air carrier, as well as initiatives in the agricultural and manufacturing sectors with a view to attaining food security.

It was further agreed that, in an effort to ensure agreements between the two countries are effectively implemented, a high-level joint committee is to be resuscitated. The first meeting of the committee is expected to be held by March 30th 2017 in Trinidad and Tobago.

The committee will be expected to meet at least twice per year, alternately in each country, with the provision that either party could request additional meetings as deemed necessary.

Following the meeting, Prime Minister Rowley and his team were hosted to lunch by President Granger.