GEORGETOWN, Guyana – Guyana has agreed to exchange views and work closely on technical and operational areas, including increased joined land, and sea patrol missions, after participating in the inaugural meeting of the Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue that was held last weekend in Cayenne, French Guiana.
A government statement issued here Tuesday said that Prime Minister retired Brigadier Mark Phillips, led the country’s delegation to the August 25-27 meeting that also included Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn as well as the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defense Force, Brigadier Godfrey Bess and the National Security Advisor to the President, Captain Gerry Gouveia;
According to the statement, the meeting which was also attended by representatives from Suriname and France with the discussions “centered on joint security threats and challenges facing the countries.
“The dialogue also underscored the importance of shared respective understanding of the regional strategic defense and security environment and about how the countries can collaborate and structure their operational and technical cooperation in the fight against the security threats and other challenges facing the populations, territories, maritime space and interests,” the statement said.
It noted that within the framework of the Guiana Shield Strategic Dialogue on security and defense and to develop a common security masterplan, the meeting agreed on several initiatives, including exchanging views and working closely on technical and operational areas, including increased joined land, and sea patrol missions;.
In addition, the countries also agreed to strive for a global and coordinated approach against illicit trafficking and serious crimes, including drugs trafficking, illegal gold mining, environmental crimes and irregular immigration with a focus on anticipation, threat assessment and prevention.
They also agreed to respond “and increasing joint attention to the environment and climate change, including security and defense impact on climate change and to help safeguard essential conditions for peace and sustainable development.
