Guyana, US in historic strategic dialogue
As part of efforts to strengthen their bilateral relationship, Guyana and the United States yesterday held their First Strategic Dialogue and good governance and support for this country’s territorial integrity featured at the talks.
A release from the US State Department said: “The United States and Guyana held a virtual Strategic Dialogue on July 16 to discuss issues of mutual interest, including climate resilience, food security, and energy transition. Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Western Hemisphere Affairs Daniel P. Erikson, State Department Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian A. Nichols, and Special Advisor to the Vice President for the Western Hemisphere Scott Winton led the U.S. interagency delegation, which was composed of representatives from the Department of State, USAID, the Department of Defense, and the Export-Import Bank of the United States. Foreign Secretary Robert Persaud led the Guyanese delegation, which included a wide range of Guyanese ministries and the Guyana Defense Force.
“During this first-ever Guyana-United States Strategic Dialogue, the two sides discussed ideas for advancing the bilateral economic agenda, underscored
the need for good governance and institutional strengthening, and pledged continued defense and security cooperation. Both delegations recognized the prospect of an active 2024 hurricane season in the Caribbean and expressed support for those already affected by Hurricane Beryl.
They also reiterated their commitment to the success of the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti”.
The dialogue was convened to outline strategic issues and policies as well as other opportunities for collaboration, and was agreed upon by the administrations of President Irfaan Ali and President Joe Biden, a release from the Department of Public Information (DPI) said.
The bilateral meeting was convened at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation at Takuba Lodge in Georgetown, with the US participating virtually, the release said.
At the opening ceremony, Guyana’s Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud, asserted that the dialogue continues along the upward trajectory of partnerships and relationships that the two sides have enjoyed for decades. “This dialogue seeks to build on the friendship and the partnership that exists between our two countries under the bilateral, regional and international cooperation frameworks.”
The discussions centred on several global thematic issues, including energy security, food security, climate
change, the USCaribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis (PACC) 2030, and security and defence cooperation.
“I’m quite confident that our deliberations can pave the way for innovative solutions and strengthened ties between our two governments,” the Foreign Secretary affirmed.
DPI said that Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the United States National Security Council (USNSC), Erikson, spoke highly of Guyana’s efforts to support the development of the Caribbean region. “Your leadership in the Caribbean Community is well recognised and your current role in the United Nations Security Council is a testament to the growing stature and influence of Guyana.”
Erikson also recorded the US government’s support for Guyana’s inclusive and sustainable policy directives. “We know your government is working to ensure an equitable and thoughtful path towards an inclusive and sustainable development in safeguarding Guyana’s sovereign wealth throughout Guyana’s Natural Resource Fund. The US stands ready to support you in that effort.”
He went on to reaffirm his administration’s stance on maintaining Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. “I do want to reiterate once again, and this comes directly from President Biden himself, that the United States fully supports Guyana’s territorial integrity.”
Guyana’s delegation included the Minister of Home Affairs, Robeson Benn; Guyana’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States (OAS), Samuel Hinds; Chief of Defence Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF), Brigadier Omar Khan; National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia; Director of the Customs Anti-Narcotic Unit (CANU); James Singh; representatives of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA); Office of the President (OP); ministries of Natural Resources, Finance, and Commerce; and the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), and other senior government officials.
The meeting comes at an awkward time as just weeks ago, the US Department of the Treasury slapped sanctions against gold dealers Nazar Mohamed and Azruddin Mohamed and Labour Ministry Permanent Secretary, Mae Thomas Jr Thomas. They were sanctioned under the Magnitsky Act which observers says is mainly applied in serious cases. The meeting also comes as both Georgetown and Washington will be carefully watching the Venezuelan election coming up at the end of this month. Last year, in particular, Venezuela behaved aggressively towards Guyana in prosecuting its claim to this country’s county of Essequibo. The border controversy remains before the International Court of Justice.
The presence of the Exim-Import Bank of the United States at the meeting is also important as Guyana is seeking large financing from it for its gas to energy project,