Outgoing European Union (EU) High Commissioner to Guyana, Geert Heikens, said while democracy exists in Guyana, there is need for the political parties to unite to ease tensions. He said that in five years, Guyana should be bright, noting that he is optimistic that there would be significant changes, given the current growth of the economy. He pointed to the fact that the gold, bauxite, sugar, and potentially oil industries would generate enormous amounts of revenue.
“If I come back in five years, I would see a different Guyana.” He was at the time speaking to media operatives, at the European Commission’s head office located at Sendall Place. This took place on Friday, as he bid farewell to Guyana. “Yes, there is absolutely democracy in Guyana,” Heikens, who departs Guyana on October 23, after serving approximately four and a half years here. The EU ambassador said Guyana has a “fantastic” Constitution, but recognises that there are several issues that ought to be addressed.
“There are issues where we would like to see some ease in dealing with each other. Maybe lines are drawn according to the lines of the political parties, and the crossing over of the political parties we don’t see that much.
Democracy does not come over night, so citizens need to look at the progress made over the years, he said, noting that Guyana’s democracy is in its early stages. “It is human democracy; don’t forget you came from very dark days, not so long ago – 20 years ago. Gradually, democracy is not from today to tomorrow, and democracy is not one size fits all.” The EU head noted that while there are things that need to be dealt with expeditiously, bureaucracy intervenes on both sides. “We have that issue maybe, but I think it is also mutual; we are both in this atmosphere of bureaucracy.”
The outgoing EU Ambassador disclosed his commission has sought observer status from the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) though it will not be playing a major role in that regard. “People from my staff here in the delegation will play a watch role: watching the elections to see if they are free, peaceful, and fair.” He explained that on a yearly basis the commission makes up a list of countries in which it will observe elections, but Guyana was not on that list. “A list was published, Guyana was not on that list based on four, five years ago and based on countries where we think we should be. We have a limited budget. Guyana was not on that list, and is still not on that list… We will register at GECOM, will have the vest, we will not link up with the UNDP, Caricom, OAS, and Commonwealth. We will have a small team of persons here to go to the polling stations,” Heikens explained.
He said Guyana ought to be proud of its achievement, but the commission will not sit “at home that day and look at the televised outcome”.
Speaking about his stay here, Heikens said he had a “very fantastic time in Guyana”, having explored much of the natural landscape, and the country is beautiful. He added that many friendships were built and his time spent here was “memorable”. His successor is Robert Kopecky who is to take office at the beginning of November.
