Georgetown, Guyana – (April 5, 2017) President David Granger, this evening, said that international peace and economic integration are the utmost goals of the Caribbean; goals, which he acknowledges are shared by the European Union, and were the basis upon which the signing of the Treaty Establishing the European Economic Community (TEEEC), also called the Treaty of Rome, occurred 60 years ago. The President, was at the time, speaking at the Photographic Exhibition and Cocktail Reception in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, held at the Umana Yana in Georgetown.
“The Caribbean today, like Europe 60 years ago, yearns for peace. The Caribbean seeks international peace, which is characterised by a dignified and secure life for our peoples. It seeks economic progress, which is undergirded by special consideration to the needs and vulnerabilities of small-island developing and low-lying coastal states such as Guyana,” the President said.
While congratulating the European Union (EU) on its 60th Anniversary, the President, who serves as the current Chair of the Caribbean Community, said that it is these common goals that also saw the Caribbean, which is part of the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), entering into mutually beneficial, preferential agreements with Europe. “The Caribbean, as party to successive Lomé conventions and signatories to the Cotonou Agreement, looks forward to building on four decades of ACP-EU relations,” the President said.
President David Granger observes one of the photographs that were part of the display at the reception
The President said it was the Treaty of Rome that inaugurated a programme of economic integration, which allowed the European Union to become a formidable economic community, accounting for 20 percent of global exports and with over 62 percent of its trade being intra-regional.
“The Treaty of Rome was inspired by the philosophy of promoting peace through economic integration. Two World Wars in the first half of the twentieth century had taken a terrible toll on Europe. The scars of the Second World War were still visible in 1957, 12 years after it had ended. The Treaty of Rome was signed by six states, which were encouraged by the experience of the European Coal and Steel Community signed, six years earlier. They were convinced that peace and economic progress could be secured best through deeper economic integration,” the President said.
As such, the Head of State said that the Treaty served as part of the post-war era of economic integration, preceding the establishment of the Latin America Free Trade Association (1960), Central American Common Market (1960), the Caribbean Free Trade Association (1965), and the Caribbean Community (1973). “Economic integration was increasing its impetus and impact in other parts of the world. Europe was not alone. The Treaty of Rome has bequeathed a legacy of sustained peace over the past 60 years. The vision of the Treaty’s architects has been vindicated,” he said.
President Granger and European Union Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Jernej Videtic look at the five minute video presentation during the cocktail reception
In this regard, the President said that Guyana and the EU enjoy excellent relations underpinned by mutual respect and cooperation for mutual benefit given their shared goals and pledged Guyana’s commitment to strengthened cooperation in the future.
European Union Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Jernej Videtic said that the founding members signed the Treaty having been inspired by a dream of a peaceful, common future of European integration. He added that discussions on ACP-EU relations beyond 2020 are ongoing, and that these discussions must take place in a transparent manner, in an atmosphere of partnership and cooperation. “It is of course of major importance to Guyana and other Caribbean countries that these discussions proceed, especially in view of the challenges facing the region and indeed the wider world,” Ambassador Videtic said. The Ambassador pledged that the European Union will continue to be a strong and constant partner of Guyana and the Caribbean Community.
The Treaty Establishing the European Economic Community (TEEC), also known as the Treaty of Rome, was signed on March 25, 1957 by Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and West Germany and served as the cornerstone of the European Economic Community, later renamed, the European Community in 1992, then absorbed by the European Union in 2009.
President David Granger in discussion with European Union Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. Jernej Videtic and the Ambassador’s wife, Ms. Ruta Dryzde during the cocktail reception.
The event also featured a five minute video as well as a photographic display on the history of the European Union. Following his remarks, President Granger then observed the display as the Ambassador gave insight into some of the images.
Also in attendance at the event were Speaker of the National Assembly, Dr. Barton Scotland, Minister of Legal Affairs and Attorney General, Mr. Basil Williams, S.C. and members of the Diplomatic Corps.
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