Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, and Foreign Minister, Joseph Andall, were at talks with their counterparts today in St. Vincent, as moves were made in an attempt to thrash out the Essequibo Border territorial issue with the leaders of Venezuela and Guyana.
The issue over the few months proved to have a potential of heading down the path to a major controversy.
The meeting in St. Vincent is held under the auspices of CARICOM and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), hoping to find a resolution.
The talks throughout the day were rather intense, with the thought by the regional leaders of protecting the peace within the Caribbean zone.
REPORT:
Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali made a presentation, and being strongly vocal, in other words, outspoken, reiterated his country’s fundamental position in accepting the invitation to participate in the engagement.
He’s of the view that the border controversy, with which the International Court of Justice (ICJ) is engaged, is not up for discussion, negotiation, or deliberation.
Guyana’s position is that the controversy must be resolved at, and by the ICJ.
President Ali reminded CARICOM that the referral of the matter to the ICJ is consistent, with, and pursuant to the Geneva Agreement.
He further reiterated emphatically that Guyana’s only intention is to pursue a course that will secure and ensure peace and stability in the region and respect Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
President Ali noted his understanding of CARICOM’s position, that all parties must abide by International Law, respect the outcome of the ICJ process, and desist from the threat of, or use of force.
He made it clear to the CARICOM Leaders that matters consequential have nothing to do with the ICJ case or matters connected therewith.
In the 2nd phase of the talks, President Ali and President Maduro met across the table with CARICOM, CELAC, Brazil, and UN observers.
We have not been privy to much pronouncements by Maduro, neither by CARICOM leaders whether there’s any headway in arriving at anything amicable for the time being.
The leaders will be returning to their country’s, at least with the view they made an attempt to at least understand the plight of the disputing country’s arguments.
Grenada’s Prime Minister and his Foreign Minister are due to return home later this evening.
