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2. In their review of the relations between Guyana and Venezuela, Their Excellencies Presidents Donald Ramotar and Nicolás Maduro Moros noted the accelerated progress which was being made to enhance the bonds of cooperation, friendship, and understanding between their two countries.
3. They noted, in particular, that greater impetus was given to the United Nations Good Offices Process since the appointment of the current Personal Representative of the United Nations Secretary General, Professor Norman Girvan and recommitted that the search for a peaceful and practical settlement of the controversy in accordance with the Geneva Agreement of 1966, was one that should be pursued under the Good Offices Process. In this regard, they agreed to pursue with the United Nations Secretary General the reappointment of Professor Girvan for a further term.
4. The Heads of State received the report of the 5th Meeting of the Guyana/ Venezuela High Level Bilateral Commission which was held on Friday, August 30, 2013, under the areas of Political Consultation; Food and Agriculture; Air, Land and Sea Transportation; Energy; and Education and Culture.
5. Arising out of these discussions, the Presidents noted with satisfaction the continuity of the exports of rice and paddy to Venezuela and the supply of petroleum to Guyana. Also, they acknowledged the potential cooperation under the Petrocaribe mechanism and the new cooperation initiatives proposed, which include the bilateral drugs agreement, furtherance of the proposals for cultural cooperation and capacity building in the area of Spanish language training for Guyanese and English language training for Venezuelans.
6. They agreed to establish a direct air link between the two countries through CONVIASA airline, which has the capacity to transport seventy (70) passengers twice weekly. With the aim of consolidating the airline sector, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela offered the Government of Guyana capacity building in the area of training of technicians and flight operations inspectors.
7. They directed that strategies be developed to hasten the rate of implementation of the outstanding and the new cooperation initiatives under the Guyana/ Venezuela High Level Bilateral Commission. They requested their respective Foreign Ministers to closely monitor the further execution of these activities.
8. Both Presidents emphasised the importance of trade to regional development and recalled the views expressed by His Excellency Nicolás Maduro Moros, at the recently concluded 34th Regular Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community regarding the strengthening of the trade relations between Venezuela and CARICOM. They noted also the proposals for cooperation between CARICOM and Venezuela including areas such as security, air and sea transportation, energy and the development of a social and cultural plan.
9. Both Presidents expressed optimism for the potential that exists for an enhanced relationship between CARICOM and Venezuela that would redound to the benefit of their peoples.
10. The Presidents reviewed the achievements of the Petrocaribe mechanism. President Ramotar congratulated President Maduro on the initiative by Venezuela to establish the Petrocaribe Economic Zone (PEZ), which has been created to safeguard and manage the resources in the region. The Presidents emphasized the importance of the Petrocaribe Summit of Heads of State and Government as the appropriate forum for strengthening the initiative and guiding it towards the new challenges and objectives that are imminent.
11. They acknowledged the roles of UNASUR and CELAC in bringing the Latin American and Caribbean region closer together and in providing a voice for the region on international fora to address issues of interest and concern to the region, including peace and security, climate change and sustainable development.
12. President Nicolás Maduro Moros commended Guyana on attaining the Associate Membership status of MERCOSUR. Within this context, the two Presidents emphasised the importance of MERCOSUR not only with respect to integration in the area of trade, but also in the development of cooperation in many sectors.
13. His Excellency President Nicolás Maduro Moros and His Excellency President Donald Ramotar addressed a gathering of several groups from civil society and social movements. They underscored the importance of the participation of all groups in the democratic process. Their Excellencies engaged in meaningful exchanges with participants from the agriculture sector, trade unions, the various ethnic organisations, women’s movements, the religious community, youth and others.
14. In concluding their discussions, both Presidents expressed their satisfaction with the results of their dialogue and welcomed its promise for the further enhancement of relations between Guyana and Venezuela. They were convinced that their meeting would give added impetus to cooperation in bilateral, regional and international matters.
15. His Excellency President Nicolás Maduro Moros expressed his gratitude to the Government and People of Guyana for the hospitality afforded him and his delegation during his State visit and extended an invitation to His Excellency President Donald Ramotar to pay a visit to Venezuela at a mutually convenient time.
Done and signed on this 31th day of August, 2013, in Georgetown, in the English and Spanish languages, both texts being equally authentic.
Donald Ramotar President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana Nicolás Maduro Moros
President of the President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
