–welcomes recent agreement by Venezuela to refrain from use of force, any further escalation in border controversy

THE United Kingdom (UK) reiterated its support for Guyana’s “territorial integrity” during a meeting on Monday.
David Rutley, the UK Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Americas and Caribbean, and President Dr. Irfaan Ali, met at State House.

In a press statement, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) quoted the parliamentarian as saying that the UK will continue to work with partners in the region, as well as through international bodies, to ensure the territorial integrity of Guyana is upheld.

The statement further welcomed the talks between Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and President Ali in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on December 14, when the leaders pledged there would be no escalation of conflict.

Rutley, who is also the Minister for the Americas, Caribbean and Overseas Territories, said: “I am in Guyana, a fellow Commonwealth member, to offer the UK’s unequivocal backing to our Guyanese friends.

“The border issue has been settled for over 120 years. Sovereign borders must be respected wherever they are in the world. We welcome the recent agreement by Venezuela in St. Vincent to refrain from the use of force and any further escalation.”
He was accompanied by the FCDO’s Americas Director Robert Tinline, and the United Kingdom’s High Commissioner to Guyana Jane Miller.

Prime Minister Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips; Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance Dr. Ashni Singh; Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mr. Hugh Todd; National Security Adviser Captain Gerry Gouveia; Chief-of-Staff of the Guyana Defence Force Brigadier Omar Khan; and the Director of Presidential Affairs Mrs. Marcia Nadir-Sharma were also part of the meeting.

During his visit, the UK minister was also set to engage ambassadors from the United States, Canada, and the European Union (EU) to discuss international support for Guyana.

According to a statement from the Office of the President, while in Georgetown, Minister Rutley was also expected to hold talks with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM)’s Secretary-General, and meet business leaders to hear how they have been affected by the situation.

The UK parliamentarian had previously visited Guyana in March, when he was a passenger on board the inaugural direct British Airways flight from London, and attended the launch of the British Chamber of Commerce.