Prime Minister Freundel Stuart left Barbados today to attend the 50th anniversary of Independence celebrations in the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
The main events at which Mr. Stuart will be in attendance are the National Flag raising ceremony, tomorrow, Wednesday, May 25, and the Jubilee Float Parade on Thursday, May 26.
The Cooperative Republic of Guyana was granted independence from the United Kingdom on May 26, 1966, and became a republic on February 23, 1970. Barbados’ independence from the UK was also granted in 1966 and its golden jubilee will be celebrated in November.
In a statement, the Prime Minister’s office noted: “The acceptance of this invitation to share this historic moment with Guyana is a demonstration of the high level of importance which Barbados places on the relationship between the two countries, one of the strategic goals of Barbados’ foreign policy being the strengthening of regional integration and the fostering of closer bilateral ties with member states of the CARICOM.”
Barbados and Guyana established formal diplomatic relations on November 30, 1966. Guyana is currently the CARICOM country with the highest level of diplomatic/consular representation in Barbados through its Consular General. Barbados’ non-resident Ambassador to CARICOM and High Commissioner to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana is Robert Morris.
