Georgetown, GINA, January 8, 2004

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rudy Insanally believes that the commencement of movement through the Guyana/Brazil route augurs well for Guyana and the Caribbean, in terms of trade relations with the Latin American region.
The Minister expressed this conviction at a press conference today, where he opined that the Guyana/Brazil road link could serve as a corridor for trade relations between Caribbean States, and giant economies such as Brazil’s.
Minister Insanally views Brazil as important to the forging of closer ties with Guyana, a move that has been engendered in the Brazil visits made by President Bharrat Jagdeo last year.
Noting that the Guyanese and Brazilian leaders share a common interest in the issue of poverty, the Foreign Affairs Minister posited that closer relations between the Caribbean and Latin American region could serve as the platform to address the problems of poverty, hunger and unemployment in the Region.
“We would have to gear up ourselves for increased relations with Brazil,” said
Minister Insanally.
Touching on Guyana’s relations with its Western neighbour, Venezuela, the Foreign Minister said he anticipates “a sooner than later” visit by President Hugo Chavez, to whom an invitation was extended by President Bharrat Jagdeo.
Looking ahead, Minister Insanally said he anticipates matters related to Venezuela’s proposal for a road link with Guyana, and the border controversy between the two countries will be addressed.
Noting that both countries share a strong interest in hemispheric cooperation, the Minister said that the agenda for the meeting between Presidents Jagdeo and Chavez is yet to be decided by the two leaders, pending Chavez’s visit. A date for his arrival has not been fixed.
On the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) front, Minister Insanally expressed regret at the passing of Dominica’s Prime Minister, Piere Charles for whom a Book of Condolences was opened at the CARICOM Secretariat.
Minister Insanally purported that CARlCOM is moving at its optimal pace towards the implementation of the Caricom Single Market and Economy (CSME).
He related that the last CARICOM intercessional meeting saw progress, with the advancement of the freedom of movement initiative in the Region, from Guyana’s end.
Minister Insanally stated further that while pessimism exists with regard to the Regional machinery’s readiness to face 2005, he is confident that a resolution to internal differences is at hand.
He cited the erection of the new CARlCOM Headquarters at Liliendaal, East Coast Demerara, as a delivery by Guyana to unify the Secretariat. He added that the construction of the International Conference Centre, a Japanese-funded project, bodes well for Guyana in proving a prominent facility for Regional conferences.
Relations between Guyana and Barbados remain amicable, even as the two countries are preparing to clinch a fishing deal. The Foreign Minister pointed out that there has not been recent reports of immigration hiccups experienced by Guyanese seeking entry into the tourism-based country.
However, he affirmed that each CARICOM State is obligated to allow the free movement of its citizens, (equal to the movement of Europeans within the Region), in keeping with the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas, despite the need for enhanced security regulations.
The Foreign Minister said Government is preparing for the institution of legislation to govern machine-readable passports, which he expects will be a feature of the CSME.