Foreign relations of Guyana
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After independence in 1966, Guyana sought an influential role in international affairs, particularly among Third World and non-aligned nations. It served twice on the UN Security Council (1975–76 and 1982–83). Former Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, and Attorney General Mohamed Shahabuddeen served a 9-year term on the International Court of Justice (1987–96).
Guyana has diplomatic relations with a wide range of nations, and these are managed primarily through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The European Union (EU), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Organization of American States (OAS) have offices in Georgetown.
Regional relations[]
Guyana strongly supports the concept of regional integration. It played an important role in the founding of the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM), but its status as the organization's poorest member limits its ability to exert leadership in regional activities. Guyana has sought to keep foreign policy in close alignment with the consensus of CARICOM members, especially in voting in the UN, OAS, and other international organizations.
International disputes[]
All of the area west of the Essequibo River claimed by Venezuela; Suriname claims area east of the New Upper Courantyne.
Two neighbours have longstanding territorial disputes with Guyana. Since the 19th century, Venezuela has claimed all of Guyana west of the Essequibo River – 62% of Guyana's territory. At a meeting in Geneva in 1966, the two countries agreed to receive recommendations from a representative of the UN Secretary General on ways to settle the dispute peacefully. Diplomatic contacts between the two countries and the Secretary General's representative continue.
Neighbouring Suriname also claims the territory east of Guyana's New River, a largely uninhabited area of some 15,000 square kilometres (5,800 sq mi) in southeast Guyana. Guyana and Suriname also disputed their offshore maritime boundaries. This dispute flared up in June 2000 in response to an effort by a Canadian company to drill for oil under a Guyanese concession. Guyana regards its legal title to all of its territory as sound. However, the dispute with Suriname was arbitrated by the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea and a ruling in favor of Guyana was announced in September 2007.[1][2][3]
Crime[]
In 1993, Guyana ratified the 1988 Vienna Convention on illicit traffic in narcotic drugs and cooperates with US law enforcement agencies on counter-narcotics efforts. Guyana is also a member of the International Criminal Court with a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the US-military (as covered under Article 98).
Guyana has been considered a transshipment point for narcotics from South America, primarily Venezuela, to Europe and the United States and producer of cannabis.
Relations by country[]
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List of countries which Guyana has diplomatic relations with:[4][5]
Canada – 26 May 1966
India – 26 May 1966
Trinidad and Tobago – 26 May 1966
United Kingdom – 26 May 1966
United States – 15 August 1966
Germany – 2 September 1966
Venezuela – 25 November 1966
Barbados – 30 November 1966
Italy – 12 April 1967
France – 22 June 1967
Pakistan – 10 November 1967
Serbia – 5 November 1968
Brazil – 18 December 1968
Jamaica – 20 June 1969[6]
South Korea – 2 October 1969
Japan – 11 June 1969
Netherlands – 15 May 1970
Guinea – 8 June 1970
Uganda – 21 July 1970
Haiti – 6 October 1970
Ethiopia – 13 October 1970
Dominican Republic – 19 October 1970
Russia – 17 December 1970
Colombia – 18 December 1970
Tanzania – 28 December 1970
Kenya – December 1970
Zambia – 11 February 1971
Belgium – 10 June 1971
Peru – 17 July 1971
Chile – 22 July 1971
Egypt – 10 September 1971
Cyprus – 11 February 1972
Bangladesh – 24 March 1972
Poland – 10 June 1972
China – 27 June 1972
Libya – 9 August 1972
Argentina – 6 October 1972
Cuba – 8 December 1972
Austria – 3 April 1973
Mexico – 1 March 1973
Panama – 16 March 1973
Turkey – 2 May 1973
Australia – 14 May 1973
Syria – 19 June 1973
Romania – 20 June 1973
Bahamas – 10 July 1973
Cambodia – 5 September 1973
Costa Rica – 17 April 1974
North Korea – 18 May 1974
Ecuador – 2 July 1974
Sri Lanka – 14 July 1974
New Zealand – 1 September 1974
Iraq – 22 September 1974
Sierra Leone – 25 October 1974
Liberia – 11 November 1974
Vietnam – 19 April 1975
Sweden – 16 June 1975
Mozambique – 21 August 1975
Botswana – 28 October 1975
Suriname – 25 November 1975
Malta – 12 March 1976
Malaysia – 26 April 1976
Nigeria – 2 August 1976
Algeria – 20 September 1976
Bulgaria – 25 March 1977
Switzerland – 24 May 1977
Angola – 24 July 1977
Dominica – 3 November 1978
Portugal – 5 December 1978
Saint Lucia – 22 February 1979
Finland – 2 April 1979
Ghana – 14 May 1979
Greece – 14 May 1979
Niger – 25 June 1979
Norway – 2 August 1979
Lesotho – 25 August 1979
Spain – 12 October 1979
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – 27 October 1979
Denmark – 16 November 1979
Mongolia – 15 December 1979
Grenada – February 1980
Yemen – 14 June 1980
Zimbabwe – 19 June 1980
Nicaragua – 23 November 1981
Antigua and Barbuda – 3 February 1982
Albania – 1 May 1985
Uruguay – 3 June 1985
Iran – 6 September 1986
Bolivia – 12 March 1987
Burkina Faso – 23 September 1987
Thailand – 17 December 1987
Brunei – 20 June 1990
Israel – 9 March 1992
Guatemala – 1 May 1992
El Salvador – 1 May 1992
Mauritius – 1 December 1992
Czech Republic – 1 January 1993
Slovakia – 1 January 1993
Eswatini – 26 February 1993
Seychelles – 28 April 1993
Maldives – 13 April 1994
Paraguay – 14 April 1994
Nepal – 22 June 1994
South Africa – 4 November 1994
Namibia – 13 November 1994
United Arab Emirates – 6 February 1995
Lebanon – 2 March 1995
Kuwait – 17 August 1995
Azerbaijan – 1 September 1995
Oman – 17 January 1996
Qatar – 23 August 1996
Solomon Islands – 26 November 1996
Estonia – 19 April 1997
Holy See – 9 June 1997
Turkmenistan – 11 June 1997
Bahrain – 19 November 1997
Jordan – 19 August 1998
Sovereign Military Order of Malta – 19 May 1999
Indonesia – 27 August 1999
Ireland – 2 February 1999
Belarus – 25 February 2000
Ukraine – 15 November 2001
Singapore – 19 September 2002
North Macedonia – 22 September 2003
Armenia – 24 October 2003[7]
Iceland – 10 March 2005
Latvia – 16 March 2005
Croatia – 25 September 2006
Slovenia – 20 April 2007
Philippines – 25 September 2008
Luxembourg – 17 June 2009
Gambia – 24 September 2009
Senegal – 10 November 2009
Montenegro – 21 September 2011
Lithuania – 25 January 2012
Saudi Arabia – 22 February 2012
Georgia – 23 April 2012
Tuvalu – 28 September 2012
Morocco – 14 December 2012
Kazakhstan – 15 January 2013[8]
State of Palestine – 21 February 2013
Bosnia and Herzegovina – 9 May 2013[9]
Kosovo – 13 June 2013
Moldova – 12 September 2013
Fiji – 8 December 2014
Kyrgyzstan – 23 September 2016[9]
San Marino – 17 February 2019[10]
Belize – Unknown date[11]
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Unknown date[12]
Africa[]
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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1975 |
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1994 |
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4 November 1994 |
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Americas[]
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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6 October 1972 |
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See Barbados–Guyana relations
The relations between Guyana and Barbados had its genesis to a time when both Guyana (then British Guiana) and Barbados were both British colonies. Shortly after Great Britain secured British Guiana from the Dutch, waves of migrants were encouraged to move and settle in Guyana. Barbados was one such location where large numbers of migrants came from. Through time Barbados and Guyana have both supported each other. With the move towards independence in the region Guyana was seen as the breadbasket of the wider Caribbean which led to yet more waves of Barbadians seeking to move to Guyana for better opportunities. Relations have been rocky, during the 1990s, immigration became contentious for Guyanese persons to Barbados. Such terms as the "Guyanese bench" in the immigration area of the Barbados Sir Grantley Adams International Airport have tested both states at times. The two nations continue their cooperation through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and work towards building and maintaining good relations between their nationals. Both nations also attempt to maintain open communications at high levels of both Governments. More recently the Guyanese Government has extended an offer to Barbadians.[17][18] The Guyanese government has offered to put in place an economically favourable regime towards any Barbadians that wish to relocate to Guyana and contribute towards that nation's goals in agricultural investment.[19] The announcement was made in the final days of the Owen Arthur administration by MP member Mia Motley. In the early 1990s the Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Patrick Manning pitched an initiative for Barbados, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago to enter into some form of political union or political association. This initiative was short lived and didn't proceed following the Democratic Labour Party's defeat during the 1994 elections. | |
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See Brazil–Guyana relations
Brazil–Guyana relations have traditionally been close. Brazil has provided military assistance to Guyana in the form of war fare training and logistics. Bilateral relations between the countries have recently increased, as a result of Brazil's new South-South foreign policy aimed to strengthen South American integration. During a state visit by Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to Georgetown on 2 March 2007, the governments of Guyana and Brazil signed several cooperation agreements and announced plans to boost trade between the two countries. | |
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Canada started relations with Guyana in 1964[20] with the construction of the Commission of Canada in Georgetown. In 1966 it became a Canadian High Commission. There is a Guyanese High Commission in Ottawa and a Guyanese Consulate in Toronto. Canada and Guyana have strong ties through the Commonwealth of Nations. There is an estimated 200,000 Guyanese living in Canada. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Guyanese police work closely to help with drug, and human smuggling. Guyana's largest import from Canada is machinery (CAD $13 mil), and export is precious metals (CAD$482 mil).[21] Food exports generally cater to Canada's Guyanese diaspora population.[22] | |
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3 November 1978 |
Dominica and Guyana have established diplomatic relations on 3 November 1978.[23] |
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1 March 1973 | See Guyana–Mexico relations |
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25 November 1975 | See Guyana–Suriname relations
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26 May 1966 | See Guyana-Trinidad and Tobago relations
Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago have had historically close ties due to their shared culture, history, dominion under the British empire, demographics and religion. Both Countries have a substantial population of Hindus from indentured servitude from India along with a large African population from Africa. Both countries are a part of the Commonwealth of Nations and CARICOM. Trinidad was the largest forgiver of debt in the 1990s Paris Club Agreement to Guyana, forgiving Hundred of Millions of Debt. A substantial number of Guyanese people live in Trinidad and Tobago. In recent years, relations between the two countries warmed with Guyana establishing its First Diplomatic Mission in Port of Spain in 2017. In 2018, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Cooperation. |
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See Guyana–United States relations
U.S. policy toward The Co-operative Republic of Guyana seeks to develop robust, sustainable democratic institutions, laws, and political practices; support economic growth and development; and promote stability and security. During the last years of his administration, President Hoyte sought to improve relations with the United States as part of a decision to move his country toward genuine political nonalignment. Relations also were improved by Hoyte's efforts to respect human rights, invite international observers for the 1992 elections, and reform electoral laws. The United States also welcomed the Hoyte government's economic reform and efforts, which stimulated investment and growth. The 1992 democratic elections and Guyana's reaffirmation of sound economic policies and respect for human rights have placed U.S.-Guyanese relations on an excellent footing. Under successive PPP governments, the United States and Guyana continued to improve relations. President Cheddi Jagan was committed to democracy, adopted more free market policies, and pursued sustainable development for Guyana's environment.
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1985 |
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See Guyana–Venezuela relations
Venezuela claimed more than half of the territory of the British colony of Guyana at the time of the Latin American wars of independence, a dispute that was settled by arbitration in 1899. In 1962 Venezuela declared that it would no longer abide by the arbitration decision, which ceded mineral-rich territory in the Orinoco basin to Guyana. The area is called Guayana Esequiba by Venezuela. A border commission was set up in 1966 with representatives from Guyana, Venezuela and Great Britain, but failed to reach agreement. Venezuela vetoed Guyana's bid to become a member of the Organization of American States (OAS) in 1967. In 1969 Venezuela backed an abortive uprising in the disputed area. Under intense diplomatic pressure, Venezuela agreed in 1970 to a 12-year moratorium on the dispute with the Protocol of Port-of-Spain. In 1981, Venezuela refused to renew the protocol. However, with changes to the governments of both countries relations improved, to the extent that in 1990 Venezuela sponsored Guyana's bid for OAS membership in 1990.[28][29] |
Asia[]
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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See Guyana–India relations
Relations between India and Guyana ever since the independence of Guyana in May 1966 have been cordial.[30] The cordiality in the relation remains unaffected with changes in governments either in India or in Guyana. Late Shrimati Indira Gandhi, the then Prime Minister of India, visited Guyana in 1968, late Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, the then Vice President of India visited Guyana in 1988 and Shri Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, the then Vice President of India came on a state visit to Guyana in 2006.[30] The cooperation between the two countries in sharing developmental experience is mainly routed through Indian Technical & Economic Cooperation (ITEC) under which forty scholarships are granted every year in various courses. Besides, some experts are also deputed to Guyana from time to time on request in specified areas of activity. Several other scholarships are also available to Guyanese to pursue long-term courses, to get acquainted with India and to learn Hindi language in India. India has offered credit facilities to Guyana for use in mutually accepted designated fields, agriculture and information technology, being two of these. Indian companies have also expressed interest in bio fuel, energy, minerals and pharmaceuticals. Total trade turn over remains low, though the trend is positive. Indian Cultural Centre in Georgetown was established in 1972 with the objective of strengthening cultural relations and mutual understanding between India and Guyana and their peoples. The Centre runs regular classes in Yoga and Dance (Kathak). The Centre has a well equipped Auditorium where cultural events are organised on a regular basis. The teachers and students of ICC participate in events by the local community on various occasions round the year. The Centre has a library with books/publications on history, literature, art, culture, mythology and works of eminent scholars and authors. An important cultural connection between India and Guyana is cricket. With the advent of the Indian Premier League, many Guyanese players were contracted to play in India.[30] |
Europe[]
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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25 February 2003 | |
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11 May 2011 |
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16 November 1979 | |
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1979 |
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1967 |
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1966 |
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23 April 2012 |
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14 May 1979 | |
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17 December 1970 | See Guyana–Russia relations
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5 November 1968 | |
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Oceania[]
Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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See also[]
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Guyana)
- List of diplomatic missions in Guyana
- List of diplomatic missions of Guyana
References and notes[]
- ^ "Welcome to guyanachronicle.com". Archived from the original on 6 April 2009. Retrieved 9 July 2007.
- ^ Guyana to experience ‘massive' oil exploration this year
- ^ Business: News in the Caribbean – Caribbean360.com Archived 29 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Diplomatic relations". Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Countries with which Guyana has Establishment Diplomatic Relations" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.
- ^ "Countries with which Jamaica has Established Diplomatic Relations". 16 April 2021. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 16 April 2021.
- ^ "Guyana". MFA of Armenia. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Guyana and Kazakhstan establish diplomatic relations". 15 January 2013. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Diplomatic relations between Guyana and ..." United Nations Digital Library. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Guyana establishes diplomatic ties with San Marino". Guyana Chronicle. 17 February 2019. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 December 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2019.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ "ST. KITTS AND NEVIS' PRIME MINISTER CONGRATULATES GUYANA ON ITS 52nd ANNIVERSARY OF INDEPENDENCE". 28 May 2018. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2016.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ [1]
- ^ Jump up to: a b "South African Department of International Relations and Cooperation". Archived from the original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ [2]
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 June 2008. Retrieved 14 December 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 11 December 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 4 November 2007. Retrieved 14 December 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- ^ Canada, Global Affairs (4 November 2008). "Canada - Guyana Relations". GAC. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
- ^ Canada, Global Affairs (4 November 2008). "Fact Sheet". www.canadainternational.gc.ca. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
- ^ "Guyana's exports to Canada enjoyed mixed blessings in last five years". Stabroek News. 31 October 2008. Retrieved 14 February 2021.
- ^ "Countries with which Guyana has Establishment Diplomatic Relations" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 March 2016.
- ^ Guyana's Diplomatic & Consular Representatives
- ^ "Non-resident ambassador of Guyana presents letter of accreditation to the President of Mexico (in Spanish)". Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
- ^ Embassy of Mexico in Georgetown (in English and Spanish)
- ^ "Embassy of the United States in Georgetown". Archived from the original on 14 October 2014. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- ^ "Relations with Venezuela". U.S. Library of Congress. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
- ^ "The Trail of Diplomacy". Guyana News and Information. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
- ^ Jump up to: a b c Indian High Commission Guyana Archived 15 August 2013 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Ministry of foreign affairs of Croatia
- ^ Ministry of foreign affairs of Croatia
- ^ "Cyprus Foreign ministry" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ Cyprus Foreign ministry
- ^ "Danish Consulate in Guyana". Danish embassy in Brasilia, Brazil. Archived from the original on 8 October 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
- ^ "Embassy of France in Paramaribo". Archived from the original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ [3]
- ^ French ministry of foreign affairs (in French)
- ^ German Ministry of foreign affairs
- ^ Germany's embassy in Port of Spain
- ^ Jump up to: a b "Ministry of foreign affairs of Georgia". Archived from the original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ Jump up to: a b Greek Ministry of foreign affairs
- ^ "Ministry of foreign affairs of Serbia". Archived from the original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ "Ministry of foreign affairs of Serbia". Archived from the original on 19 November 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ High Commission of Guyana in London
- ^ High Commission of the United Kingdom in Georgetown
- ^ Australia's High Commission in Port of Spain
- ^ Australia's Department of foreign affairs and trade
- Foreign relations of Guyana
- Politics of Guyana