Georgetown : Russia Day celebration was observed last evening at the Russian Embassy in Kitty, Georgetown.
Russian Ambassador Nicolay Smirnov noted that the relationship between the two nations has continued to improve over the four decades since it formally started.
The ambassador said that his country’s decision to cancel the debt owed by Guyana will help to boost the local economy. He added that Russia’s position on many issues such as the drug trade, arms trafficking and food security were common issues. Ambassador Smirnov welcomed Guyana’s stand on the Syria crisis and pointed out the need for dialogue to end the ongoing violence in that country. It was in this light that the Ambassador noted that his country would continue to be supportive of the United Nation’s efforts to maintain world peace through the rule of law and diplomacy. Russia, the ambassador said, will continue to build on its relationships with Guyana, via investments and assistance such as the training of police ranks which was recently undertaken in his nation. Scholarships offered to Guyanese students will also be increased according to the ambassador.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds said that Guyana’s relationship with the Russian Federation is grounded in mutual understanding, respect and a “commonality of interest that has provided a basis for increased collaboration at the bilateral and international levels”. He also congratulated Ambassador Smirnov on his country’s progress, “which in all areas have brought economic and other benefits to the people of the Russian Federation”.
Prime Minister Hinds noted that Guyana is happy with efforts to boost Guyana’s human resource development, with training in diverse fields such as security and said the country would welcome more Russian investments. “Rusal and its subsidiary BCGI continue to contribute substantially to Guyana’s socio-economic development, and we encourage increased investment from other Russian companies to boost our commercial and industrial sectors”.
He said, “The cancellation of Guyana’s bilateral debt by Russia will enable us to funnel much needed resources into our national development programmes.” He also expressed the hope that Russia will continue to support Guyana at the G8 and G 20 forums, in advocating for adequate and effective measures to be adapted to deal with challenges to development such as reforms of international financial systems, addressing food security and renewed access to concessionary financing.
Russia Day is the national holiday of the Russian Federation, celebrated on June 12. It has been celebrated every year since 1992.The First Congress of People’s Deputies of the Russian Federation adopted the Declaration of State Sovereignty of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic on June 12, 1990.
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