Guyana/Brazil celebrate 50 years of bilateral relations

…commemorative stamp launched

A commemorative stamp was on Friday launched at the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s South Road, Georgetown office as Guyana celebrated 50 years of bilateral relations with Brazil.
In attendance at the event were subject Minister Carl Greenidge, Telecommunications Minister Catherine Hughes, Deputy Head of Mission of the Brazilian Embassy Paulo Silos, and several others.
The stamp will also be launched in Brazil on October 26, although it is currently available in two denominations at the cost of some $200 and $80 locally.
Greenidge reminded that Guyana established formal relations with the neighbouring country on August 26, 1986, and the two countries have since closely collaborated in the areas of education, health and technical cooperation, among other areas.
Greenidge said, “Over the subsequent 50 years (since establishment of relations), our two countries have solidified relations through close collaboration… These matters are being pursued, (and) continue to be pursued under the variety of mechanisms that were established over the years”.
He added that, in recent years, the two countries have intensified their bilateral relations through a series of “high level encounters”.
The Deputy Head of Mission of the Brazilian Embassy, Paulo Silos, endorsed Minister Greenidge’s statement and added that the stamp has a powerful message attached, as it is available to all.
“A stamp is not just a tiny stamp or a strip of paper. We should not be fooled by small size, as it portrays its true importance and significance. The stamp, in many ways, is better than the visible monument, because a monument is erected in one place, a stamp however has its own powerful impact, as it is not restricted spatially,” he said.
Telecommunications Minister Catherine Hughes told the gathering that the stamp is a testimony of the good relations existing between the two countries. “Today’s official launching of the commemorative stamp is one more symbol of the good, strong, neighbourly relations between the Federative Republic of Brazil and the Cooperative Republic of Guyana,” she noted.
This stamp happens to be third one produced in recent years to celebrate bilateral relations with Brazil. The first one was launched in 2003 to observe the countries’ 35 years of partnership; the second was produced in 2009 to mark the official commissioning of the Takutu Bridge, which links Guyana and Brazil.
Also released on Friday was a 15-minute documentary on the two countries, which captures various aspects of the two nations.
In observance of the 50-year-long relationship, a safari will be heading to Brazil next month. This happens to be the first time that the South Rupununi Safari, organised by Rainforest Tours, will be leaving the country.