GDF hosts meeting with Brazilian military

The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) on Wednesday hosted the Brazilian Army for the inaugural bilateral Defence Working Group meeting between the two neighbouring countries.

A simple opening ceremony for the meeting was held at the Guyana International Conference Centre (GICC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, during which the delegations from both countries were introduced.

Delivering his opening remarks, the GDF Chief-of-Staff, Brigadier Mark Phillips said that Guyana’s first goodwill mission to Brazil 45 years ago paved the foundation for what has become a strong relationship between the two countries. He noted that there has since been the achievement of a regime of peace and understanding between Guyana and Brazil.

Defence cooperation

The Chief-of-Staff continued that the defence cooperation between the neighbouring countries have benefited ranks of the GDF, with them receiving much training.

 “Many of our officers and ranks have done courses and continue to be trained at the excellent training schools and colleges of the Brazilian Armed Forces… and our jungle and amphibious training school continues to be staffed by a team of Brazilian instructors, along with the fact that we have a physical education month … [with] the football coaches which has resulted in the Guyana Defence Force football team being the second-best team in Guyana,” the Brigadier proudly stated.

He pointed out that military cooperation is further exemplified in Guyana’s appointment of a Resident Military Attaché to Brazil – Brigadier General Julian Bruce Lovell. Brigadier Phillips added that Brazil has been a good neighbour as he acknowledged the fact that the country has showed respect for Guyana’s territorial integrity.

The Chief-of-Staff concluded by saying that the meeting between the delegations must serve as a means of sustaining their defence cooperation and contributing to the strengthening of the bonds between the two countries, but, more particularly, the GDF and the Armed Forces of the Federative Republic of Brazil.

The Brazilian delegation was led by Major General Dacio Luis Schons, who said that the relationship between the two countries is set to face progress in the near future. He noted that this is all part of a bigger job to integrate the entire South American continent and ‘get to know the neighbours’.

Major General Schons reaffirmed the intentions of the Brazilian Defence Ministry to promote military cooperation between the two countries. He said the Work Group meeting provides oversight in following up the defence agenda between Guyana and Brazil that was decided upon two years ago during a visit by the Brazilian Minister.

The two armed forces will be engaged in discussions for the next two days to better understand each other’s operations.