European Union Ambassador, H.E Fernando Ponz Cantó, today August 15, 2022, paid a courtesy call on the Honourable Minister of Home Affairs, Mr. Robeson Benn to bid him farewell as he moves on to a new post.

“I’m happy in any event that the EU can rely on your experience over your intervening period here and of course that you are a friend of Guyana and the Caribbean. I want to wish you every success in your new posting and mission”, Minister Benn expressed as he thanked Ambassador Ponz Cantó for his service to the country and his partnership with the Ministry. Minister Benn also thanked the outgoing Ambassador for his strong intervention in respect of securing Guyana’s Democracy.

Since Ambassador Ponz Cantó’s appointment in September 2019, bilateral relations have greatly strengthened. He has spearheaded several important projects aimed at social and economic development, as well as, strengthening national security in Guyana. Ambassador Ponz Cantó has partnered with the Ministry of Home Affairs on numerous projects including, the Armband Reflector initiative which is aimed at improving road safety for school children and cyclists and the SEACOP MoU on cooperation against illicit maritime trade.

Dr. Fernando Ponz Cantó is Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Guyana, for Suriname, and with responsibility for Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, Saint Barthelemy, Sint Eustatius and Sint Maarten. He is resident in Guyana where the EU Delegation is its official office.

The Guyana-EU relations were established in 1975 with the signing of the historic Georgetown Agreement. The EU remains an important developmental partner to Guyana and has over the years, provided funding for several programmes.