Guyana, T&T Foreign Affairs Ministers meet

…agree on deeper collaboration on regional issues; to strengthen bilateral bonds

Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd and his Trinidadian counterpart, Dr Amery Browne, on Wednesday met virtually where they agreed to greater bilateral cooperation between the two countries on domestic and regional issues.
Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Ministry on Wednesday said that the two Ministers took the opportunity to reaffirm the bonds of friendship between Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. Additionally, they spoke of deepening and expanding cooperation between the two States.

Foreign Affairs Minister Hugh Todd

“The Ministers undertook to bolster efforts at enhancing cooperation between their countries in the areas of trade, investment and energy through mechanisms such as the Framework Agreement on the Deepening of Bilateral Cooperation and the Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Sector Cooperation, respectively,” a statement from the Ministry said.
It was explained that during the meeting, the Ministers further agreed to pursue the holding of meetings of the High-Level Bilateral Commission, Executing Committee and Joint Working Group by the end of 2021
The Ministers agreed to continue collaboration in the Caribbean Community (Caricom) on advancing the Caricom agri-food systems agenda: prioritising regional food and nutrition security. Both Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago sit on the Special Ministerial Task Force (MTF) on Food Production and Food Security and have expressed mutual concern about the regional food import bill.

T&T Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Amery Browne

Minister Todd, the statement said, also took the opportunity to convey Guyana’s gratitude for Trinidad and Tobago’s continued support for the preservation and maintenance of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
With Caricom Secretary General Irwin LaRocque scheduled to soon conclude his term of office, the two Ministers articulated their shared appreciation for his outstanding service, and added that they are also looking forward to working with the Secretary General designate, Dr Carla Barnett, once she assumes office.
The meeting is the first formal one between the two Ministers, although they have held informal discussions. Before the conclusion of the meeting, the Ministers agreed to meet again in the near future at a mutually convenient date and time.
Wednesday’s meeting came on the heels of recent events whereby Guyana and T&T were at odds on issues of COVID vaccines and flood relief. References Trinidad Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley made to Guyana’s vaccination campaign did not go down well in sections of society.
Guyana shares many cultural similarities with Trinidad and Tobago and diplomatic ties were established between the two countries since 1966. Guyana also has a large diaspora presence in the twin island republic.