The Presidents of Guyana and Suriname have expressed their commitment to work towards a peaceful solution to the centuries old border dispute between the two countries.
Speaking at a joint press conference in The Bahamas, where the 22nd Meeting of Heads of Government and State of the Caribbean Community is being held, President Jagdeo of Guyana and President Runaldo Venetiaan of Suriname pledged to work towards a peaceful solution to the dispute.
The Fourth Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) was held in Georgetown, Guyana on 21-22 May, 2001. The Ministers attending were_ the Hon. Hilroy Humphreys, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Business Development, Antigua and Barbuda; the Hon. Billie Miller, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Barbados; the Hon. John Briceño, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Natural Resources, the Environment and Industry, Belize; the Hon. Osborne Riviere, Minister of Trade, Industry and Marketing, Dominica; the Hon.
Hon. Ministers,
Other Heads of Delegations,
Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
Heads of Regional Institutions,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media,
Staff of the Secretariat
Honourable Prime Minister,
Honourable Ministers
Excellencies,
Mr. Secretary-General
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am extremely pleased, on behalf of the Government and people of Guyana to extend to you a warm welcome to the opening of this Fourth Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations.
Honourable Prime Minister of Guyana
Colleague Ministers
Secretary-General
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Delegates
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen
It is indeed a pleasure to address this Fourth Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) in my capacity as outgoing chairman.
His Excellency Mr. Samuel A. Hinds, Acting President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Honourable Ministers of Foreign Affairs and their delegations
Other Honourable Ministers
Your Excellencies, Ambassadors, High Commissioners and other representatives of the Diplomatic Corps
Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Media
Colleagues
An agenda focusing on the Region's strategic approach to its relations with Third States and International Organisations will occupy the attention of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Ministers of Foreign Affairs when they meet in Georgetown, Guyana, from 21-22 May. This will be the Fourth Meeting of the Council for Foreign and Community Relations (COFCOR) and it is being held under the Chairmanship of Guyana.
The Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community are deeply disturbed by events taking place in the Republic of Guyana, following the March 19, 2001 General Elections.
Reports indicate a deteriorating social and political situation characterised by outbreaks of violence, damage to property and loss of life.
I have today received the report of the Chief and Deputy Chief of the CARICOM Electoral Observer Mission to the General Elections in Guyana, on 19 March 2001.
The Mission was established by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), following a request by the President of Guyana that CARICOM monitor the General and Regional elections in that country, which were being held in accordance with agreements reached under the Herdmanston Accord.
Foundations of co-operation have been laid with other missions who are in Guyana to observe the 2001 General elections. This was stated by Chief of the CARICOM Observer Mission to Guyana, Justice R. Carl Rattray at a Press Conference today Thursday March 15 hosted by Secretary General of CARICOM, Mr Edwin Carrington at the CARICOM Secratriat in Georgetown.