The Government of Guyana has initiated discussions with the diplomatic representatives of Canada and Italy for visa free travel for holders of a Guyana passport to those two countries.

On the sidelines of a reception on Monday evening, Canadian High Commissioner to Guyana, Mark Berman confirmed that the Guyana Government has reached out to the Canadian Government on the issue, highlighting a readiness to begin discussions on visa free travel to Canada.

The Canadian Diplomat said it is an issue that will be examined carefully and a determination will be made. There is no timeline set for any discussion since the matter was only recently raised.

“We have raised the issue with Ottawa, our visa policy is different from the United Kingdom, it is based on different issues. Guyana is among about 100 countries in the world for which they have visa requirements, and it is something that we are looking at and we will make a determination. The Government of Guyana has indicated its interest in having that discussion”, the High Commissioner said.

He also noted that two Canadian airlines, Air Canada and West Jet are being courted to begin schedule services to Guyana. However, he reminded that the airlines are private businesses and therefore they will base any decision they make from a business perspective.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs met on Monday with the new Italian Ambassador to Guyana, Fabrizio Nicoletti and raised the issue of visa free travel to Italy for Guyanese nationals.

Foreign Minister Hugh Todd initiated talks on visa free travel to Italy during a meeting with the new Ambassador.

He said he believes the lifting of the visa requirement for Guyanese nationals will be for the mutual benefit of both countries, particularly through private sector engagements and people to people exchanges, which will be advanced in the future.

He said Italy and the European Union remain valuable partners to Guyana and CARICOM.

The United Kingdom recently lifted visa requirements for Guyanese nationals, allowing easier travel for them to the United Kingdom.

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