GEORGETOWN, Guyana – The outgoing United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann-Lynch, says the relationship between the two countries has grown stronger, underscoring also Washington’s role in democracy globally.
United States Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann-Lynch and Prime Minister Mark Phillips toast as they extend best wishes“Strong democracies do not just focus internally. They also project their values and their democratic principles externally to help strengthen other nations in their region and across the globe,” she told a reception ceremony here on Thursday night, marking her country’s 247th Independence Anniversary.
The diplomat said bilateral trade between Guyana and the US has tripled over the past few years and that Washington will continue to assist Georgetown in a number of areas.
“There has also been the start of the historic gas-to-energy project that will provide clean, reliable, and affordable electricity for Guyanese citizens. The second Caribbean regional security exercise in just two years, Tradewinds, cohosted by U.S. Southern Command and the Guyana Defence Force; Dozens of young leaders, professionals, and budding entrepreneurs trained or sent on impactful exchange programs to the U.S,” she said.
Lynch said also that there has been a dramatic increase in US companies, partnering in sectors outside of oil and gas like education, health care, agriculture, and infrastructure; while there has been the training of dozens of Guyanese law enforcement officers through partner agencies including Diplomatic Security, the FBI, Homeland Security and Drug Enforcement Agency.
She said also that Guyana is emerging as a strong leader within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
“This year, Guyana has not only become a strong leader within CARICOM, especially in the area of food security; but you have also increased your leadership across the broader hemisphere and on the world stage.
“I would like to congratulate the government on Guyana on securing its seat to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, with the election Dr, (Dr Arif) Bulkan, demonstrating Guyana c commitment to promote and protect human rights,” Ambassador Lynch said.
She said Guyana’s election to the UN National Security Council should be seen as a strong sign of confidence by the international community that Guyana wants to contribute to regional and global efforts to strengthen international partnership, the rule of law and to promote peace and stability around the globe.
The diplomat also said that the June 12 Local Government Elections (LGE) here were free and fair.
“Guyana has a had a local election, which we observed, and was widely viewed as free and fair,” she told the 247th US Independence Anniversary reception.
The main opposition, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) had raised some concerns about the polls after the ruling People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had been able to increase its votes in traditional opposition strongholds to bribery by cash, contracts and part-time jobs.
The Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) had defended the election results.
