His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, and His Excellency Stéphane Séjourné, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of the French Republic, met at the State House in Georgetown, Monday, March 25, 2024.
They took this opportunity to exchange views on several priority issues of interest to the international community.
Both France and Guyana are committed to democratic values and respect for international law, as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of States. They both actively participate in peacekeeping initiatives.
They are keen to strengthen cooperation to ensure the security and stability of the Guiana Plateau and combat organized crime in the region. They are also committed to measures to combat climate change and protect the Amazon which are priorities for both countries given their links with this region.
The two countries agreed to create a joint working group to identify priorities to deepen cooperation in the following areas: defense, climate change, food security, infrastructure, technology and tourism.
As part of ongoing security cooperation, Guyana announced on March 25, 2024 the acquisition of maritime patrol equipment from France, thus illustrating the desire of the two states to strengthen their bilateral relationship.
Eager to strengthen their relations as neighboring and friendly countries, Guyana and France have decided to write a new chapter in their history by opening a French embassy in Georgetown in 2025. France will be the first country in the EU to establish a diplomatic representation of this level in Guyana.
The opening of a French embassy will stimulate cooperation in different sectors, notably the economy, in priority areas for Guyana in which French companies have recognized know-how.
This embassy will also contribute to strengthening ties between Guyana and French Guiana, as well as France’s relations with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) headquartered in Georgetown.
The Government of Guyana welcomes the opening of the embassy which demonstrates the strengths of the country’s economic transformation and France’s interest in developing its relations with the Caribbean region.
The Government of the French Republic welcomes the opening of this embassy which will contribute to strengthening the integration of its overseas territories in the region and illustrates its ambition to consolidate the universal character of its diplomatic network.
This article is originally published on diplomatie.gouv.fr
