Addressing a MERCOSUR meeting on Wednesday, Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr Karen Cummings, emphasized that the economic transformation underway here can see new and expanded partnerships with countries in Latin America.
Cummings was addressing the 54th Meeting of the Common Market Council and Summit of Heads of State of MERCOSUR [Southern Common Market] and Associated States held in Santa Fé, Colombia on Tuesday and Wednesday.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs press release yesterday said that Cummings pledged Guyana’s commitment to broaden and deepen relations with MERCOSUR and other countries in the region.
“Guyana is currently engaged in reviewing relevant instruments with a view to possible accession to strengthen capacities and norms in respective areas,” Cummings stated.
She also underscored the importance Guyana attached to preserving South America as a “zone of peace” and called for a peaceful solution to the crisis in neighbouring Venezuela. Expressing concern at the plight of the Venezuelan people, she stressed Guyana’s willingness to help shoulder the responsibility for the humanitarian response.
The summit marked the conclusion of Argentina’s pro tempore presidency of MERCOSUR, a major highlight of which was the Frame-work Agreement concluded between the regional body and the European Union on 28 June this year after 20 years of negotiations.
The Foreign Minister led Guyana’s delegation to the summit, which included Ambassador to Brazil, George Talbot, and Senior Foreign Service Officer, Vernon Robinson.
MERCOSUR was established in 1991 by the Treaty of Asunción signed by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Guyana became an Associate Member in July 2013.
