In spite of ‘existing irritants’, Guyana committed to working with Venezuela
–‘in the spirit of camaraderie, good faith’

PRIME Minister, Mr Samuel Hinds has made clear Guyana’s commitment to working with Venezuela in the spirit of camaraderie and good faith.

“Guyana will continue to pursue a peaceful resolution of the controversial claim by Venezuela that the 1899 Arbitral Award settled regarding the land boundary between the two countries,” he told guests at a reception hosted Saturday night at the New Thriving Events Centre at Camp and Lamaha Streets to mark Venezuela’s 203rd Independence Anniversary.
He noted, however, that as the two countries pursue greater functional cooperation, the “existing irritants” that threaten the stability of bilateral relations cannot be ignored.
“These unresolved issues continue to hinder our ability to freely develop our resources in the interest of the people of Guyana, and also restrict us from making a greater contribution to the welfare of the peoples of the wider Latin American and Caribbean region,” he told invitees, among them representatives of the private sector, and Speaker of the National Assembly, Mr Raphael Trotman.
He made the point that an economically stronger Guyana can make an even greater contribution to burning international issues.

POLICY CORNERSTONES
These matters aside, he said Venezuela can always count on Guyana’s support for the preservation of its democratic process, as one of the cornerstones of Guyana’s foreign policy is its commitment to “the principle of comity among nations, non-intervention in the internal affairs of sovereign states, and the promotion of democracy,” as well as the peaceful co-existence of nations.
He also underscored the fact that a primary aspiration that drove the move towards independence was greater strides toward integration, which Guyana has been able to take advantage of.
“Guyana and Venezuela have been able to take advantage of the integration mechanisms to promote the common interests of the South American continent and the wider Latin American and Caribbean region,” he said, referring to the countries’ participation in the Union of South American Nations (UNSAUR) and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC).
Prime Minister Hinds said that Guyana and Venezuela have been able to work within these regional fora to maintain stability in their bilateral relations. “We have been able to initiate a viable and mutually beneficial agreement for trade of rice, and anticipate, in the near future, that our trade relations will expand to non-traditional products…. The establishment of a direct air link between Guyana and Venezuela through CONVIASA will certainly promote more people-to-people contact, as well as support the movement of goods,” he said.

The Prime Minister expressed optimism that the association of the two nations would be advanced for their mutual benefit.

SHARED PRINCIPLES
Venezuelan Ambassador to Guyana, Reina Margarita Arratia Diaz, in her address, agreed that the two countries have shared principles, which allow them to work within a framework of sustained regional integration.
She said, “On the level of bilateral relations, Guyana and Venezuela have signed a series of agreements on economic, social, political, and cultural matters which have enabled us to advance in the construction and development of our two countries. The validity and efficiency of these agreements are the clear guarantee of our coexistence as neighbouring countries and friends.”
The Ambassador highlighted that it is an “undeniable reality” that, in the course of recent years, the relations between the two countries have been strengthened in all aspects.
“We recognise Guyana’s firm position against the Organisation of American States (OAS), in defence of Venezuelan sovereignty, as a sign of support of the battle that the Venezuelan people were fighting at that time, for peace, democracy and political stability in our country,” she said.
Ambassador Diaz referenced high-level exchange visits between the two countries as a sign of the good relationship and the evidence of greater consolidation of partnerships.
Guyana’s relations with Venezuela have seen accelerated progress in the interest of enhancing the bonds of cooperation, friendship, and understanding between the two countries, which have had ties for decades; but there was a marked improvement in relations after the late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez took office.

(By Vanessa Narine)