CARICOM updated on developments on Guyana/Venezuela controversy
DPI, Guyana, Friday, March 1, 2019
CARICOM Heads of Government have been brought up-to-date about the recent developments in the Guyana/ Venezuela border controversy, at the Thirtieth Intersessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government held earlier this week.
The two-day meeting was held at Frigate Bay, St. Kitts and Nevis on February 26 and 27.
Guyana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge informed the Regional Heads that Guyana had submitted its Memorial on Jurisdiction to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on November 19, 2018, in accordance with an Order of the Court, and that the Court had established April 18, 2019, for the submission of the Counter-Memorial by Venezuela.
The Heads of Government, in turn, expressed their support for the judicial process underway, which is intended to bring a peaceful and definitive end to the controversy, in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations Charter and the decision of the Secretary-General of the United Nations under the Geneva Agreement of 1966.
The Heads of Government reiterated their firm support for the maintenance and preservation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Guyana.
They also addressed the escalating tensions in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the ensuing increase in hardships and suffering of the population aggravated by the imposition of sanctions.
Similar concerns were expressed for the situation prevailing in Haiti over the last three weeks, characterised by violent protests jeopardising the political, economic and social stability of the country.
The Heads of Government also reviewed progress on decisions taken at the Eighteenth Special Meeting, of the Conference on the CSME.
The leaders reiterated the critical importance to the region of the national and regional security architectures in combatting crime and violence, transnational crime and other security threats as well as for the effective functioning of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME) Free Movement Regimes.
The conference, chaired by Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Timothy Harris, was addressed by CARICOM Secretary-General, Ambassador Irwin LaRocque and immediate past Chairman, Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness.
Alexis Rodney
Images: www.caricom.org