Guyana and the Dominican Republic (DR) established bilateral relations in October 1970 but in the last year, there has been a ramping up of country-to-country collaboration.
So much so that 10 cooperation agreements were signed in the last year alone. There were also reciprocal presidential visits, the opening of an embassy for the DR in Georgetown and a stronger bond has evolved between the private sector of the two countries with joint business chambers now established on both sides.
This growth in the relationship the two countries share was highlighted by Ernesto Torres Pereyra, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic to Guyana, during a reception Friday night to observe the 180th Independence Anniversary of his country.
Prime Minister Mark Phillips joined other government functionaries and members of the diplomatic and business community for an evening spent reflecting on the long relationship but with attention placed on advances in the last year.
But beyond the bilateral exchanges, Ambassador Pereyra expressed gratitude on behalf of the DR for Guyana’s support in the multilateral system.
Earlier this week President Dr. Irfaan Ali and the Chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARIOCM) announced that the DR has requested to join the regional bloc as an associate member. Guyana has offered its support for such a move.
At least twice before – in the late 1980s and in 2013 – the DR requested to join CARICOM but discussions were suspended both times, once over its deportation of CARICOM citizens from Haiti.
Despite this, Guyana has made a case before the other CARICOM Heads for the DR to be considered an associate member.
“Our relationship with Guyana is built on consistent expression of solidarity and goodwill.
“Trust and collaboration are the hallmark of our relationship,” the Ambassador said.
Guyana and the DR are collaborating in the areas of tourism, energy and construction, among others. And Ambassador Pereyra feels that 2024 will be a particularly auspicious year for the growth of the relationship.
“The answers to many of the challenges Guyana faces can be found in… the current leadership,” he added as he offered support for Dr. Ali.
Meanwhile, PM Phillips also noted the steady bilateral relations kept active and enjoyed primarily through regional and multilateral interactions.
“We have over the last two years…seen the deepening of our bilateral cooperation which has facilitated more meaningful engagement between our two countries, not only at the level of government, but inclusive of the private sector and people to people interaction,” he noted.
“For our part we are committed to working with the Dominican Republic to give impetus to the several working groups that will serve to advance the programme of cooperation.
These engagements will provide very practical support in the management of the outcomes of the multiple initiatives of mutually beneficial cooperation and collaboration that characterise our bilateral relations,” PM Philips added.
And so he proposed a toast to ask for the continued good health of the President of the Dominican Republic, the prosperity and wellbeing of the people of the Dominican Republic and for stronger and closer ties between Guyana and the Dominican Republic.
