EU, Guyana commit to enhanced collaboration under Global Gateway initiative

…as Guyana identifies priorities in climate change, energy & trade

The Guyana-European Union Partnership dialogue which occurred this week has paved the way for both parties to commit towards new areas of partnership, especially through the Global Gateway Investment Agenda.
The meeting was convened at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Tuesday, and Guyana’s delegation comprised subject Minister Hugh Todd and senior officials of that Ministry; while Head of the European Union Delegation to Guyana, Ambassador Rene Van Nes, led the EU delegation, which comprised of French Ambassador to Suriname and Guyana, Nicolas de Lacoste; Chargé d’Affaires of the French Diplomatic Office in Guyana, Jean-Jacques Forte; and Representative of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Suriname, Bianca Hettinga, among other EU officials.
A joint statement issued on Thursday read, “Minister Todd and Ambassador van Nes agreed that the opportunity should be explored to seek new areas of cooperation, and to collaborate under the European Union’s Global Gateway Investment Agenda, which focuses on forest management, health, water management and renewable energy, as well as connectivity.”
Aligned with the dialogue’s objective of exchanging information and fostering mutual understanding, both sides engaged in open and constructive discussions on areas of common interest at bilateral, regional and international levels, including on new challenges in international settings.
They also reaffirmed their commitment to continuation and further enhancement of collaboration between Guyana and the European Union, and
acknowledged the transition from the Cotonou Partnership Agreement which ended in December 2023 even as they discussed Guyana’s accession to its successor – the Samoa Agreement.
Todd has underscored the importance of this relationship between the European Union and Guyana, and has reiterated Guyana’s unwavering commitment to enhancing collaboration in the areas of climate change, energy, security, people-to-people ties, and trade. He also noted the European Union’s pivotal role as a key developmental partner for Guyana.
Ambassador van Nes looked back on 2023 as a meaningful year for relations between the EU and the Caribbean, and for bilateral relations between the EU and Guyana. He acknowledged Guyana’s political role in the region and at the global level, as well as the country’s sustained economic growth. He stressed the European Union’s commitment to human rights, democracy, and respect for the rule of law, and commended Guyana’s engagement in this regard.
“Both sides agreed that increased interaction between companies from Guyana and the European Union should be encouraged. In this context, Ambassador van Nes referred to the EU Economic Mission to Guyana in November 2023, and announced a follow-up before the end of the year.”
From January 2017 to September 2023, total trade with the European Union stood at approximately US$11 billion. It has increased steadily in the past five years, with an average annual growth of 20 per cent. During the Trade Mission’s visit last year, President Irfaan Ali mentioned that, with the driven leadership on food, energy and climate, there is a demand for investments in the building out of services in healthcare, education, biodiversity and pharmaceuticals.
Both parties have agreed that the dialogue has set the tone for continued collaboration at all levels in areas of mutual interest, and for building on the existing cooperation between Guyana and the European Union.
The next round of dialogue is scheduled to occur before the end of 2024. (G12)