I am pleased to accept the Letters of Credence accrediting you as the Ambassador of the Portuguese Republic to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
I congratulate you on your appointment and welcome you to Guyana. I ask that you convey to His Excellency President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, my best wishes for his personal wellbeing and for the prosperity of the people of Portugal.
Our two countries have enjoyed close ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations over forty years ago on 5 December 1978. Our relations are founded on the principles of 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 Portugal share rich ancestral and historical ties of over one hundred and eighty-five years of immigration and integration in our society. The contributions of Portuguese who came here from the island of Madeira have left a lasting legacy on our nation’s economic, intellectual, political and social development. The descendants of the Madeirenses are true Guyanese who continue to build out multi-cultural nation.
Guyana is a low-lying coastal state and is part of the Guiana Shield. We are concerned about the dangers of rising global temperatures and the potential impacts on the economy and environment.
Global warming, today, is one of the greatest threats to human habitation everywhere. The deadly wildfires in central and southern Portugal and its impact on human economic activity highlight the need for robust international cooperation and global interventions.
Guyana has promulgated a Green State Development Strategy. We are moving towards the establishment of a ‘green state’ which will see an increased emphasis on the protection of the environment, the preservation of our biodiversity, the promotion of the generation of energy from renewable sources and the adoption of practical measures to ensure climate adaptation.
It is my expectation that our shared commitment to confronting the challenges of climate change will contribute to the strengthening of our bilateral relations during your tenure as Ambassador. It is my hope, also, that your appointment will advance increased cooperation in the fields of culture and renewable energy.
I assure you of the full support of my Government in the discharge of your duties as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Portugal to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. I wish you every success as you fulfil your mandate.
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