Guyana committed to stronger EU partnership- Prime Minister
May 8 2026
Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips on Thursday reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to strengthening relations with the European Union, describing the partnership as critical to cooperation in climate action, trade, health, governance, renewable energy, digital infrastructure, and sustainable development.
Speaking at a reception held at Herdmanston Lodge in Georgetown to commemorate Europe Day 2026 and the 76th Anniversary of the Schuman Declaration, the PM said the relationship between Guyana and the European Union is built on shared values, mutual respect, and support for a rules-based international order, while noting that multilateralism and cooperation remain essential in addressing global challenges.
He stressed that international law and strong global partnerships are necessary to ensure all nations, including small states, have a voice in shaping international decisions. He also expressed Guyana’s readiness to deepen engagement with the EU through partnerships aimed at advancing global development goals.
PM Phillips highlighted the steady growth of Guyana-EU relations over the years, particularly in climate change and biodiversity cooperation. He noted that Guyana, which maintains more than 85 per cent forest cover, continues to position itself as an active partner in global climate solutions through sustainable forest management and environmental protection.
He said Guyana’s development agenda remains focused on balancing economic expansion with environmental stewardship and social inclusion, while aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
He also welcomed expanded collaboration under the European Union’s Global Gateway Initiative, which supports investments across Guyana and the wider Latin America and Caribbean region. Recent engagements, he noted, have led to support for Guyana’s ambitions to become a regional pharmaceutical hub, as well as investment opportunities in port infrastructure, agro-processing, logistics, and digital innovation.
Further cooperation in the health sector was highlighted through agreements with BioPark Charleroi and Expertise France under the PharmaNext programme, representing an investment of €8.9 million in Guyana.
He underscored the importance of visa-waiver arrangements with EU and Schengen partners, stating that such agreements would strengthen business ties, institutional cooperation, mobility, and people-to-people connections.
The PM reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to expanding trade, improving market access, and strengthening investment ties with Europe.
