Today’s first meeting under the Argyle Declaration of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Guyana and Venezuela in Brasila is important as it paves the way for talks between the two countries on other important matters such as energy security and climate, President Irfaan Ali says.
“I think the meeting is very important and is a step in fulfilling what was agreed on in St Vincent, and that was the establishment of a joint commission to look at all the consequential matters to develop and so that the conversation between the two countries can continue and setting the stage for the second meeting between the two presidents,” President Ali yesterday told Demerara Waves reporter Denis Chabrol at State House, before leaving the country for Ghana.
In Ghana, Ali is expected to lobby support for Guyana over the border controversy with Venezuela from African leaders who are attending the African Prosperity Dialogues (APN) 2024, meeting.
“First it is important from the agreement perspective, that is, we have quickly moved towards honouring the agreement and implanting the agreement and second it continues the conversation that is very critical,” Ali said.
“The conversation between Guyana and Venezuela, It adds to the stability and peaceful environment and importantly, it gives us the opportunity to outline the agenda with items that both sides would want to speak on. You know trade, climate, energy security… these are all things that are critical in a stable and peaceful environment. So all of these are key,” he added.
Emanating from the Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace, brokered in St. Vincent and the Grenadines last month, a Joint Commission of the Foreign Ministers and technical persons from the two states was set up to address matters “as mutually agreed” to.
Both countries had agreed to meet again in Brazil, within the next three months, or at another agreed time, to consider any matter with implications for the territory in dispute, including the updating of the joint commission.
This joint commission will not address the border controversy or the process currently in train at the International Court of Justice.
A statement on Tuesday from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Guyana remains fully committed to the principles of the Argyle Declaration in particular the maintenance of peace in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Guyana’s delegation will be led by the Hugh Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and will include Robert Persaud, Foreign Secretary; Ambassador Elisabeth Harper, Permanent Secretary; Richard Van West-Charles, Ambassador of Guyana to Venezuela, Donnette Streete, Director of the Frontiers Department and Vernon Robinson, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. of the Guyana Embassy in Brazil.
