Foreign relations of Guyana

Both countries established diplomatic relations on October 24, 2003.^[4]

• Australia is represented in Guyana through its embassy in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.^[5]
• Both countries are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.^[6]

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.^[7][8] 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.^[9] 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.

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 Inacio 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.

Canada started relations with Guyana in 1964 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.

• Canada-Guyana relations
• Fact Sheet
• Guyana's population at risk
• Guyana’s exports to Canada enjoyed mixed blessings in last five years

• Bilateral relations are good and progress on the economic side.^[10]

• Both countries established diplomatic relations on February 25, 2003.^[11]
• Croatia is represented in Guyana through its Permanent Mission in New York City.^[12]

• Both countries established diplomatic relation on May 11, 2011.^[13]
• Cyprus is represented in Guyana by its embassy in Brasília, Brazil.^[14]

Dominica and Guyana have established diplomatic relations on November 3, 1978.^[15] Guyana has a High Commission in Roseau.^[16]

• France is represented in Guyana through its embassy in Paramaribo, Suriname.^[17]
• France has an honorary consulate in Guyana.^[18]
• Both countries have passed a number of bilateral treaties.^[19]

• Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1966.^[20]
• Germany is represented in Guyana through its embassy in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.^[21]

• Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 23, 2012.^[22]
• Bilateral political consultations between the Foreign Agencies cooperation is ongoing between both countries in political, legal, cultural, trade and economic relations. Cooperation concerning the academic exchanges is successfully implemented.^[22]

• Greece is represented in Guyana by its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela.^[23]
• Greece has provided Guyana with development aid in the past.^[23]

Relations between India and Guyana ever since the independence of Guyana in May 1966 have been cordial.^[24] 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.^[24]

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.^[24]

• Both countries established diplomatic relations in June, 1967.^[25]
• Japan is represented in Guyana through its embassy in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.^[26]

• Guyana is accredited to Mexico from its embassy in Washington, D.C., United States.^[27]
• Mexico has an embassy in Georgetown.^[28]

Guyana and Pakistan established diplomatic relations on 10 November 1967. Islamabad pursues expansion of trade relations between the two countries and expressed interest in establishing a Guyana trade mission in Pakistan. Both the countries have over the years expressed desire to pursue opportunities for enhanced cooperation in human resource development, science and technology, information technology, trade and investment. Strengthening of the Guyana/Pakistan relationship can be extended further in many areas including culture and trade as the two prospects. There are common interests which the two countries share as members of the Commonwealth and the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) among others. Guyana and Pakistan share a lot of commonalities, including the passion and love for cricket.

Guyana recognised the independence of the State of Palestine on 13 January 2011.^[29] On that very same day, Guyana and Palestine both established formal diplomatic relations.^[30]

• Both countries established diplomatic relations on June 20, 1973.^[31]
• Romania is represented in Guyana by its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela.^[32]

• Both countries established diplomatic relations on November 5, 1968.^[33]
• Serbia is represented in Guyana through its embassy in Washington, D.C..^[34]

• Both countries established diplomatic relations on November 4, 1994.^[35]
• South Africa is represented in Guyana through its High Commission in Kingston, Jamaica.^[35]

The establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Guyana started on 13 June 1968.^[36]

• Turkey is represented in Guyana by its embassy in Caracas, Venezuela.^[37]
• In 2010, Turkey’s exports to Guyana totaled 5.5 million USD and its imports from Guyana were 2.5 million USD.^[37]

• Guyana has a high commission in London.^[38]
• United Kingdom has a high commission in Georgetown.^[39]

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.

• Guyana has an embassy in Washington, DC and a consulate-general in New York.
• United States has an embassy in Georgetown.^[40]

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.^[41][42]

• Both countries established diplomatic relations on April 19, 1975.^[43]
• Economic and commercial relations are very limited.^[44]