France has reached an agreement with Guyana to open an embassy in the Caribbean country next year, becoming the first European Union (EU) member state to do so.
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| Guyana President Irfaan Ali (right) shakes hands with French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné during a meeting in the capital Georgetown on March 25. (Source: Demerara waves) |
According to Guyana's Demerara Waves news site on March 26, the decision was made during a meeting between the country's President Irfaan Ali and French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné in the Caribbean country's capital Georgetown the day before.
In a joint statement after the meeting, the two sides emphasized that the French Embassy “will promote cooperation in various fields, especially in the economy, priority sectors of Guyana in which European businesses have experience”.
In line with the stated common objective, the new French embassy will contribute to strengthening relations between Guyana and the overseas territory of French Guyana, as well as Paris' relations with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), headquartered in Georgetown.
France is keen to promote further integration of its overseas territories into CARICOM.
The two sides also signed a pledge to strengthen relations “as neighboring and friendly countries,” with Paris agreeing to provide ships to enhance Georgetown’s maritime patrol capabilities .
The two countries said they share a commitment to democratic values and respect for international law as well as the sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.
France and Guyana also look forward to strengthening cooperation to ensure the security and stability of the Guyana Shield and combat organized crime in the region, and agreed to establish a Joint Working Group to identify priorities for enhanced cooperation in the areas of defence, climate change, food security, infrastructure, technology and tourism.
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