Hinds applauds achievements of US/Guyana relationship

-as US 236th Independence anniversary observance

Prime Minister Samuel Hinds performing the functions of President on Wednesday evening attended a reception hosted by the American Ambassador to Guyana, Brent Hardt at his residence to commemorate the United States of America’s 236th anniversary since the signing of the declaration of independence on July 04, 1776. The evening was celebrated under the theme, “American Tapestry.”
The Prime Minister in his address said that the level of social and economic development which the US now enjoys, is a manifestation of the hard work and endurance of its people in the preservation of their hard-fought independence.  He said that the US is a major player in world affairs, which it no doubt achieved, having drawn from the strengths and diversity of its people.
“We in Guyana speak proudly and often about the tremendous potential we have for significant growth and development. However, we are also painfully aware of the enormous challenges which confront us as a small developing state as we seek to pursue our national development objectives,” the Prime Minister said.
With regards to the development challenges that Guyana faces, he said that the country needs the support from the international community and expressed Government’s appreciation for the longstanding cooperation in matters of mutual interests between the two countries.
Some of the programmes that have been realized through this friendly bilateral relationship between Guyana and the US include: the President Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), capacity building, the memorandum of understanding under the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), strengthening of the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM), improvement of the management and fiduciary oversight of the Government through the Millennium Challenge Account.

“We applaud the many achievements made in our long-standing relationship; we recognise that there is need for greater understanding of our respective situations, if we are to achieve the level of cooperation and understanding for which we both aspire,” the Prime Minister stated.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Hardt in his remarks also recapped on the areas of cooperation between the two countries and said that the U.S. looks forward to strengthening the existing bond.
He added that, “Guyana, like the U.S., will continue to come together as a nation with its own colourful tapestry and find ways to work in the national interest, even as it debates and discusses different approaches and priorities.”
Guyana and the United States have shared fruitful bilateral relations since 1966. (GINA)