President David Granger: His Excellency Ivan Roberto Sierra-Medel and Madam Medel; Honourable Prime Minister, Mr. Moses Nagamootoo; Honourable Joseph Harmon, Minister of State; Ministers of the Government and Members of the National Assembly; members of the Diplomatic Corps; distinguished guests; members of the media; ladies and gentlemen:
We are honoured to join in celebrating this significant event marking the 206th Anniversary of Independence of the United Mexican States. We wish on behalf of the Government and People of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana to convey congratulations to His Excellency Enrique Peña Nieto and the Government and People of the United States of Mexico on the achievement of this important milestone.
Mexico is nine times bigger than Guyana. Its population is 165 times greater than ours, but the asymmetries in size and population of our two Republics have not hindered our relations since the establishment of diplomatic ties on the 1st of March, 1973 – forty-three years ago. We have demonstrated that a small South American State and a large North American State can find common ground and can enjoy mutual benefits in their relations.
Guyana and Mexico share common values such as mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty; mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs, cooperation for mutual benefit, respect for treaties and international law and the maintenance of international peace and security.
Guyana and Mexico share a common desire for peace and security in the Caribbean basin. The maintenance of the Caribbean as a Zone of Peace is vital to the economic interests of both our Republics. Instability in the region will harm the economies of our respective countries; instability will deter investments, it will diminish economic growth and degrade development.
Your Excellency, Guyana and Mexico have committed to deepening the integration process in the Caribbean and on the continent; we will continue to cooperate at the bilateral, regional and international levels.
Guyana looks forward to working with Mexico in regional and hemispheric associations to ensure greater respect for the territorial integrity and the sovereignty of States, to assert the primacy of international law and to promote the peaceful settlement of disputes.
Excellency, Guyana and Mexico share a common interest in the promotion of sustainable development, particularly in the area of renewable energy. We have observed, with keen interest, Mexico’s successes in adapting sustainable energy sources.
Guyana, through its ‘green’ agenda, has similar objectives and ambitions. We look forward to increased cooperation between Guyana and Mexico in their common quest to ensure greater use of cleaner and renewable energy sources.
Excellency, we recall with pleasure the visit of your mariachi band earlier this year to celebrate our 50th Anniversary of Independence. My wife and I were quite pleased and happy to hear for the first time in our lives the rendition of ‘Oh Beautiful Guyana’- al la mariachi.
Excellency, Guyana avails itself of the opportunity to iterate its commitment to maintaining the Caribbean Basin as a community where our peoples and our nations could co-exist in peace.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have great pleasure in inviting you to join me in proposing a toast to the good health of His Excellency, President Enrique Peña Nieto, to the continued progress and prosperity to the people of Mexico and to the strengthening of relations between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the United Mexican States.
I thank you.
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