Guyana assured EU stands ready to assist political process
by Wendella Davidson
EUROPEAN UNION (EU) representative in Guyana, Mr John Caloghirou, has emphasised his organisation's readiness to offer assistance to Guyana in its ongoing political processes. Noting that the recent past has been a complex one for this country, the EU Representative said, "We in the EU have followed closely the developments in the political arena over the last 18 months, and we have given clear indications that we stand ready to offer any assistance possible in the ongoing political process. "Together with CARICOM and others in the donor community, we will not spare any effort to respond to the best of our capabilities to any request put forward by the people of Guyana," Caloghirou said. He was at the time addressing a gathering at a reception held at the Georgetown Club on Monday to observe European Day. Mr Caloghirou said that the EU wholeheartedly welcomes the news of the possible early resumption of the inter-party dialogue. It is clear, he pointed out, that the upcoming July deadline for the completion of the current phase of the constitutional review process is not an end in itself, but a milestone in a much longer process for which success is the only acceptable outcome. He said the constitutional review process is a major project which will mark the future of this land for generations to come, adding that those directly responsible must feel the process weighing heavily on their shoulders. They are entitled to all the moral and physical support from anyone and all who hold the country's future at heart, the EU official added. Reflecting on the activities of the EU over the past year, Mr Caloghirou said it has been one of stark contrasts - of successes and setbacks. Caloghirou who said January saw the successful birth of the newest world currency, the EURO, noted that some international circles have admitted to putting pressures on the new currency. But, he said, the feedback from international financial markets is that their currency has "clearly made its mark". The gathering including Acting President and Prime Minister Sam Hinds, members of the Diplomatic Corps and CARICOM Secretary General, Mr Edwin Carrington, was also told that the EU with its 15 Member States is moving steadily forward in its enlargement process. Mr Caloghirou added that as candidate states move towards the fulfillment of the conditions of accession, the EU is also gearing itself for the challenges which will surface as result of the enlargement. To this end, the EU has embarked on a thorough review of its financial framework and reformulation of some of its outdated policies. In order to emphasise the measure of urgency in the pre- enlargement work, the review project has been named, AGENDA 2000. Touching on the recent crisis which hit the EU Commission, when the entire college of commissioners resigned against a backdrop of criticism of their management of the EU's affairs, the diplomat said "Eurosceptics" of this world had a field day. Remarking that there are dark clouds over Europe, Caloghirou said, "It is impossible these days to think of Europe, without feeling a deep pain at the tragic events unfolding daily in Yugoslavia and the Balkans." 
|