Guyana’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge on Friday at a press conference, while noting it is premature to say if Guyana and the region will be affected by BREXIT or Britain’s exit from the European union noted that the setbacks, if any should be minor.
Greenidge said he cannot pronounce definitively on the implications of such a move on Guyana and the region as the whole, noting that the matter is quite complicated.
He did say however, that Guyana has a number of agreements with Britain which he does not expect to be affected by the exit from the European Union (EU).
The foreign affairs minister pointed out that depending on how that nation exits, if it does exit, what would be of concern to Guyana is if the African Caribbean and Pacific States (ACP)/EU relationship is affected.
He clarified that the commitments that the EU has to the CARIFORUM and ACP members are legally binding and are not commitments to Britain.
In terms of Britain’s promises to Guyana, Greenidge said whether these are kept would depend on that country’s economic status at the given time.
However, the minister did mention that specific products may be affected, but that, he said would depend on what specifically Britain negotiates with the EU.
According to the British broadcasting corporation a referendum – a vote in which everyone (or nearly everyone) of voting age can take part – was held on Thursday June 23, to decide whether the UK should leave or remain in the European Union.
Leave won by 52% to 48%.
The referendum turnout was 71.8%, with more than 30 million people voting. It was the highest turnout in a UK-wide vote since the 1992 general election.
To fully exit the EU it will take some time, however the UK will continue to abide by EU treaties and laws, but not take part in any decision-making, as it negotiates a withdrawal agreement and the terms of its relationship with the now 27 nation bloc.
