Delegations from the Republic of Guyana and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela were able to successfully complete consideration of the draft Agreement on the Prevention of
Illegal Consumption and the Suppression of Illicit Trafficking of Narcotic Drugs, Psychotropic Substances and Chemical Precursors, as well as Related Offences, during their meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday. A release from the Foreign Affairs Ministry said yesterday that the two sides had agreed on a text that wouldl now be submitted to the respective Governments for approval with a view to early signature.
Guyana’s negotiating delegation was led by Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Venezuelan delegation was led by Ambassador Dario Morandy. When signed and brought into force, the new agreement will succeed the March 27, 1987 Agreement Between the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Government of the Republic of Venezuela for the Prevention, Control and Suppression of the Unlawful Consumption of and Traffic in Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances. Both Guyana and Venezuela agree that the new conditions that have emerged require the strengthening of cooperation in t he area of the illicit trafficking of drugs because of the changes in the modus operandi of traffickers and that the 1987 agreement does not contain all of the necessary provisions to facilitate strengthened cooperation given those changes. •
Guyana’s delegation included representatives of the Ministries of Home and Foreign Affairs, as well as members of the Task Force on Narcotic Drugs and Illicit Weapons.
The delegations of Guyana and Venezuela took the opportunity to discuss cooperation in combating the illicit trade in small arms and cooperation in the fight against narco-trafficking. They exchanged information on their respective National Drug Strategies as well as t he scope for Mutual Legal Assistance on criminal matters.