The United States (US) celebrates its 247th Independence Day today, July 4, and Guyana has assured its commitment to deepening ties with the US. This is according to President Dr Irfaan Ali in his letter to US President Joe Biden as he referred to the US as Guyana’s “most strategic partner.”
In his letter to President Biden, President Ali extended best wishes and congratulations and spoke of the longstanding and increasing bilateral cooperation between the two countries. He further assured that Guyana remains committed to deepening bilateral cooperation.
“As we continue to engage at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels on national and international issues of mutual interest and concern, my Government remains committed to deepening cooperation with the United States of America as our most strategic and valued partner,” President Ali said.
According to President Ali, the most recent high-level interactions between Guyana and the US form an integral part of the process for building increased bilateral ties, as they continue to build on and advance a joint agenda that would benefit both countries.
“Please accept, Mr President, the assurances of my highest consideration and esteem and my best wishes for your personal well-being and the continued success and prosperity of the United States of America,” President Ali wrote.
Earlier this year, President Ali had told a seven-member, bipartisan US congressional delegation that his Government is committed to upholding the US/Guyana bilateral partnership. According to him, the US is a trusted partner and Guyana is proud of that partnership.
“You are a trusted partner. I want to make this clear… you are a trusted partner. You are our partner. We are proud of our partnership and we are going to work together to make Guyana and the US stronger together,” the Head of State said at a reception hosted at the US Ambassador’s residence in Georgetown in honour of the visiting seven-member US congressional delegation.
The congressional team was headed by Chairman of the House Committee on Ways and Means, Congressman Jason Smith, included Congresswoman Terri Sewell, Congresswoman Carol Miller, Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach, Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, Congressman Mike Carey, and Congressman Kelly Armstrong.
They arrived in Georgetown with an agenda to meet with Government officials and Opposition leaders to discuss issues related to governance, economic matters, and the importance of bipartisan cooperation. President Ali and his Cabinet colleagues also hosted the congressional delegation for a State Lunch during which a number of priority areas were discussed.
“We had the distinct pleasure of examining different issues and challenges. We spoke about our experiences in housing. We spoke about the model in Singapore. We spoke about how we can advance the transformation – human resource transformation, and ensure that the human resource transformation is linked to the infrastructure transformation, healthcare, education.”
“But importantly, we said that our mission is to catalyse the revenues from oil and gas to position Guyana to function in a world 2030 and beyond that will be very, very different – ensuring that we’re sustainable, ensuring that we’re resilient and ensure, most importantly, that we’re competitive,” the President had said.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony J Blinken will be in Guyana this week to meet with President Ali and his Cabinet members to discuss a host of issues aimed at enhancing bilateral relations between the two countries as well as fostering regional cooperation.
