Above: New Brazilian Ambassador to Guyana Lineu Pupo de Paula and Guyana President Donald Ramotar

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Brazil has named its new Ambassador to Guyana, Lineu Pupo de Paula.

The new Brazilian envoy recently presented his letters of credence to Guyana President Donald Ramotar, pledging to focus on “strengthening relations and to foster ongoing projects” between the two countries.

“Let me also convey through you to her Excellency President Dilma Rousseff my sincere appreciation for her kind greeting together with my best wishes for a very successful 2014 World Cup Tournament, I do hope that the cup stays in the Region,” he said.

The two South American neighbours, which have had diplomatic relations since 1968, have been working to deepen ties in recent years.

In recent years, many Brazilians have come to Guyana, the Ambassador said, as many Guyanese have gone to live in Brazil, particularly in border areas.

“Our bilateral cooperation programme is wide ranging and focuses on priority areas of our national development agenda,” Ramotar said. “The common positions we consistently share on several issues on both regional and international agenda also provide a solid foundation or us to maintain a long and lasting relationship.”

Crucial to that improved relationship is the paving of the Linden-Lethem road, which links the two countries on the ground, something Ramotar said would “allow the two countries to fully realize their trade potential.”

The new envoy succeeds former Brazilian Ambassador Seixas de Andrade.