Brazil promises to foster development projects with Guyana

Brazilian Ammbassador accredited

Georgetown : New Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Lineu Pupo de Paula today presented his Letters of Credence to President Donald Ramotar, and pledged to focus on strengthening relations, and to foster ongoing projects between the two South American nations.  

The President welcomed the incoming Ambassador stating, “Let me also convey through you to her Excellency President Dilma Rousseff my sincere appreciation for her kind greeting together with my best wishes for a very successful 2014 World Cup Tournament, I do hope that the cup stays in the Region.”

President Ramotar pointed out that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1968, the relationship between Guyana and Brazil has been especially friendly and productive.

“Our bilateral cooperation programme is wide ranging and focuses on priority areas of our national development agenda. The common positions we consistently share on several issues on both regional and international agenda also provide a solid foundation or us to maintain a long and lasting relationship.”

Within recent times, Guyana has given impetus to these relations through various initiatives especially in the area of infrastructure development.

The President added that it is his hope these relations will lead, not only to increased prosperity between the two countries and people, but also will take them one step closer to the shared vision of an integrated South America.

“The Takutu Bridge is an excellent example of the many benefits, which could be derived from improved physical links between neighbouring countries; we have seen the increase in people to people contact and enhanced commercial and other exchanges between our two countries.”

President Ramotar also stated that the paving of the road link between Guyana and Brazil will allow the two countries to fully realise their trade potential.

“I am pleased to note that the people to people contacts and cooperation have led to an increasing mutual understanding and appreciation of our respective cultures, Brazilian cuisine which I am fond of, and music are now popular features in our country’s social life.”

The President said this in his view is a true representation of regional integration, a vision which the Government embraces.

“It is my hope that during your tour of duty that together we can continue to seek new opportunities to build on the friendly and cooperative relations which happily exist between our two countries.”

Meanwhile in presenting his Credentials, the new Brazilian Ambassador, noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Guyana and Brazil the bilateral relations have developed through mutual understanding and trust, including cooperation in the technical and military areas.

“Many Brazilians have come to Guyana in the last years, as well as many Guyanese have gone to live in Brazil, especially close to the border.”

The Ambassador added that Guyana and Brazil have set on an approximation process whose symbolic milestone was the inauguration of the bridge over the Takutu River.

“Furthermore, the creation of the Guyana-Brazil joint commission for infrastructure development in 2012 with projects in development in both countries; I will devote myself to further foster these projects.”

The Brazilian Ambassador added that together Guyana and Brazil can achieve more in the fields of culture and education.

He added that the recent project by the Guyana Government to introduce Portuguese language in secondary schools is a source of satisfaction for the Brazilian Government, as well as an important step in the integration of the region.

“The Brazil-Guyana Cultural Centre will also continue to offer Portuguese classes and to cater for the growing interest of young Guyanese in our language and our culture.”

The Ambassador added that he is convinced that the two countries will be able to strengthen cooperation, so as to meet the aspiration of their peoples for a prosperous and developed region.

“I hope that during my term as ambassador we will see more evidence of the growing links between our two countries.”

The new Ambassador takes over from Seixas de Andrade who began his tour of duty in September  2009.