Guyana–Russia relations

Guyana–Russia relations are the bilateral relations between the Russian Federation and Guyana. Officially established in 1970, Russia has an embassy in Georgetown, and Guyana's non-resident ambassador to Russia is located in London.

Guyana-Russia relations

Guyana	Russia

In 2005, both countries signed an agreement for visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic and service passports between the countries, and in 2010 Guyana unilaterally cancelled visa requirements for the Russian citizens.^[1][2]

Soviet-era relations

Cheddi Jagan, a Marxist Socialist politician early in his career held communist countries in a positive light. His involvement with Soviet-allied countries since the 1950s attracted attention from Britain and the US during the Cold War.^[3]

The Soviet Union and Guyana established diplomatic relations on 17 December 1970.^[4]

In October 1985, the Soviet Union delivered three Mil Mi-8 helicopters to Georgetown for use by the Guyana Defence Force.^[5] In the 1980s Guyana Airways operated a Tupolev Tu-154 passenger jet on lease from TAROM of Romania, and purchased three additional Tu-154s from the Soviet Union and Romania in a barter deal in exchange for bauxite.^[5]

Russian Federation relations

Diplomatic ties

On 8 January 1992, Guyana recognised the Russian Federation as the successor state to the Soviet Union, after the latter's dissolution.^[6] Russia has an embassy in Georgetown, and Guyana covers Russia from its High Commission in London.

Economic ties

Many Guyanese students have gone abroad to Russia for higher education.^[2] In 2003, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia and University of Guyana signed agreement on cooperation.^[1] The Guyana Police Force was also provided short term training in Russia.^[7]

In January 2006, Rusal reached an agreement with the government of Guyana to purchase 90% of the Aroaima Mining Company, leaving the government with a ten percent share.^[8] The deal, according to Rusal, invested US$20 million in the bauxite mine, with mines in Berbice.^[9][10]

Ambassadors

Russian ambassadors to Guyana

• Pavel Sergiyev, appointed 27 July 2007^[11][12]
• Nikolay Smirnov, 2015^[13]
• Alexander S. Kurmaz, appointed December 2017 and non-resident ambassador of Barbados, Grenada, Saint Vincent, and Trinidad and Tobago (previous diplomatic service in Benin, India and Germany.)^[14]

Guyanese ambassadors to Russia

• Laleshwar Singh, appointed 20 June 1995^[15]
• Hamley Case, appointed 2018^[16]

See also

• Guyana portal
• Russia portal
• Politics portal

• Foreign relations of Russia
• Foreign relations of Guyana
• List of Guyanese High Commissioners to the United Kingdom