Brazilian Ambassador Arthur Meyer said his country and Guyana will soon boost their fertile relationship by the signing of an Agreement of Cooperation on Defence Method.

Meyer said the armed forces from both countries already cooperate with each other and the agreement will foster greater ties. The Government Information Agency (GINA) quoted him saying that the agreement “covers a whole range of issues: cooperation and training of staff in military exercise, exchange of information and also in defining common policies regarding methods that affect not only both countries, but the entire South American region.”

The ambassador said the signing of the agreement is expected to be done at the official opening ceremony of the Takutu River Bridge which links Lethem to Bon Fin in the state of Roraima. Meyer said it has not yet been possible for the leaders of both countries to attend the opening ceremony but he said he has contacted Foreign Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett about a provisional opening of the bridge.

Last month the Government of Roraima had prematurely opened the bridge without prior approval of the Brazilian federal government and the government of Guyana.

“I would also like to point out that the bridge while it is not formally opened for vehicular traffic is open to pedestrians and cyclists who can move about freely,” Meyer was quoted as saying.

On April 27, Rodrigues-Birkett had announced that the Takutu Bridge had not been opened and the government remains in consultation with the Brazil government with a view to finalising arrangements for the opening to traffic and its subsequent inauguration.