Pres Ali undeterred by Opposition’s failure to attend meeting on national interests

…says no show puerile

The Parliamentary Opposition on Tuesday failed to attend a meeting with President Dr Irfaan Ali, who had extended an invitation for a meeting with two key parliamentary committees to discuss collaboration between the executive and legislative arms to holistically develop the nation. However, the absence of Parliamentary Sub-Committee on Foreign Relations opposition members did not deter the President, who said that although their failure to attend was both disappointing and puerile, he would continue working to bridge the relationship gap for the bettering of the nation and he forged ahead with members present.

According to Dr Ali, he would continue to invite committees and hopes that one day they see the value and attend. He said that the meeting with other members were used the occasion to brief them on pivotal foreign policy matters, including the ongoing International Court of Justice (ICJ) proceedings and the recently negotiated Third Country National Agreement between Guyana and the United States (US). Ali had on Monday, at a press conference, reasoned that both issues carry profound implications for Guyana’s sovereignty, security and international partnerships and it was why he wanted to hear from the opposition.