Ramotar seeking to “rekindle” US relations during Obama meeting

Ramotar seeking to “rekindle” US relations during Obama meeting

President Donald Ramotar’s attendance at the April 9 in meeting Jamaica between CARICOM leaders and U.S President Barack Obama has been confirmed.

The Guyanese Head of State will be looking to specifically “rekindle” trade and investment relations with the United States and wider international community.

The meeting with the CARICOM leaders is expected to address several issues of concern to both the US and CARICOM and will centre mostly on trade and cooperation issues. CARICOM leaders are also expected to raises issues of security with Mr. Obama.

Government’s Chief Spokesman Dr. Roger Luncheon told reporters on Wednesday that Mr. Ramotar will be focusing on “rekindling Guyana as a destination for trade and investment.”

“We have been hurt and we need to rekindle interest, maintain the level of interest of investors in Guyana, particularly as it relates to its developmental agenda,” Luncheon added.

In relation to security, the Cabinet Secretary believes that Guyana’s collaboration with the international community in responding to international crimes has improved but he said the President will look to pursue greater support.

The Caricom/US summit will be co-chaired by the US President and the current Chairman of Caricom, Prime Minister Perry Christie of The Bahamas.

The visit of President Obama will take place on the eve of the Summit of the Americas to be held in Panama on the 10th and 11th of April. It is not clear if President Ramotar will attend the Summit of the Americas as those meetings could clash with his re-election campaign events.

At the Summit of the Americas, several pressing issues will be discussed and the US President could find himself facing tough questions over a recent decision to impose several sanctions on some Venezuelan officials as he declared that Venezuela was now a threat to the United States.

Heads of Government are expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.  (Kurt Campbell)

Filed: 25th March, 2015

You must be logged in to post a comment Login