COMMONWEALTH Foreign Affairs Ministers have pledged their “unequivocal and collective support” behind the Government of Guyana over its border controversy with Venezuela. In a joint statement yesterday, the Foreign Affairs Ministers said that they stand wholeheartedly behind Guyana. “The Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana today reiterated the unequivocal and collective support of Commonwealth member governments for the maintenance and preservation of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial borders, in accordance with the 1899 Arbitral Award, the upholding of the rule of international law, and the resolution of conflict and differences by peaceful means.”
A meeting of the group was convened last Thursday in New York by the Secretary General following a request from the Guyana Government. That meeting was chaired by Senator Arnold Nicholson, Foreign Minister of Jamaica.
An update on the recent developments in the on-going controversy was provided by Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge. “The Group received with serious concern reports from Guyana regarding recent military activities of Venezuela along the border between the two countries and within the established marine areas of Guyana, leading to heightened tensions at the border,” the statement said.
Venezuela’s contention, that the Arbitral Award of 1899 is null and void and as such the Essequibo is part of Venezuela was noted by the Foreign Affairs Ministers. The Commonwealth member governments, the release stated, have been following the issue closely since 1999.
“The Group, in particular, noted and shared the concerns of Guyana over Venezuela’s Presidential Decree 1859 and Decree 1787, which were viewed as a threat to the territorial integrity of Guyana,” the statement said.
Steps by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to facilitate a solution to the controversy between the two countries were lauded by the Ministers, and “The importance of keeping open diplomatic channels and engaging in dialogue was reiterated.”
International Court of Justice
The Group noted Guyana’s preference that resort to the International Court of Justice to bring finality to the contention of the invalidity of the Arbitral Award should be urgently pursued and noted that all concerns will be brought to the attention of all 53 Commonwealth Heads of Government.
Statements issued by the Commonwealth Secretary-General Kamalesh Sharma and CARICOM Heads of Government have also been noted and commended. (Ariana Gordon)