— President Ali says; reaffirms country’s commitment to the ICJ
–both countries commit to maintaining a ‘zone of peace’
PRESIDENT, Dr. Irfaan Ali has reaffirmed that Guyana will not retreat from its position that the border controversy with Venezuela is properly before the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
President Ali and President Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela, have also committed to maintaining a “zone of peace,” as talks continue.
During a media briefing at the Argyle International Airport in Kingstown, capital of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, where the meeting is being brokered by the CARICOM/CELAC/Brazil, President Ali said that talks are still ongoing.
The Head of State said that during the first phase of the meeting, the Guyana team met with CARICOM.
“There, we reiterate our position that is, in relation to our land boundary that matter is before the ICJ and that there is absolutely no retreat by Guyana in ensuring that this matter is determined by the ICJ and that the outcomes of the matter be respected by all,” he said.
In the second meeting, CARICOM met with the Venezuelan team, which is led by President Maduro, before moving to the third phase, where the two leaders met for the historic face-to-face meeting in the presence of CARICOM, CELAC, Brazil and the United Nations.
“In that meeting, I outlined, once again, Guyana’s clear position, that is, we are a peace-abiding county and people. We have no other ambition than to pursue peaceful coexistence with Venezuela and every country in this region.
“I made it very clear that Guyana has all the right to exercise its sovereign rights within its territorial space to approve of and facilitate any development, any investment, any partnership, any trade, any collaboration and cooperation, the issuing of any licence and the granting of any concession within our territorial space and within our sovereign space,” President Ali said.
Crucially, President Ali reiterated that the controversy must be resolved through the ICJ, and that Guyana remains steadfast in presenting and defending its case before the international legal body.
He highlighted that the process leading to the ICJ is in line with the Geneva Agreement, allowing the UN Secretary-General to determine the final resolution of the controversy.
“We made it very clear that Guyana is not the aggressor, Guyana is not seeking war. But Guyana reserves the right to work with all our partners to ensure the defence of our country. All our partnership is based on the defence of our territorial integrity and our sovereignty,” the President said.
As the high-level dialogue progresses into the next phase, both parties have committed to maintaining the region as a “zone of peace”. President Ali expressed optimism about the potential for dialogue on consequential issues, separate from the matter currently before the ICJ.
The shape and form of this dialogue will unfold in the upcoming phase of the meeting.
