GEORGETOWN, Guyana, CMC – The government of Guyana has urged neighboring Venezuela to comply with the Geneva Agreement fully implemented 57 years ago in 1966 to resolve the border conflict between both nations.
In a statement marking the 57th anniversary of the signing, the government said that “Venezuela has sought over the years to undermine the Agreement and specifically to frustrate the resolution of the controversy by the judicial process even when, as now, it is obliged to participate.”
Under the Geneva Agreement, that controversy is now, with the international community’s approval, before the International Court of Justice, in whose impartial and independent upholding of the rule of international law Guyana has absolute confidence.
“As Guyana’s lawful development of its resources proceeds, it is pertinent today to emphasize that the Geneva Agreement imposes no obligation on Guyana to refrain from economic development activities in any portion of its territory or any appurtenant maritime areas,” the statement noted.
It added that any unilateral attempt by Venezuela to restrict the exercise by Guyana of its sovereignty and sovereign rights would be wholly inconsistent with the Geneva Agreement and the rule of international law.
“Guyana considers that no greater homage can be paid to it by our sister Republic than full compliance with its terms, including Article IV paragraph 2, under which the Secretary General of the United Nations has chosen the International Court of Justice as the means for the final and binding settlement of the controversy.”
“Guyana looks forward to Venezuela’s return to the judicial processes of the Geneva Agreement in the abandonment of its earlier imperial goal. There could be no greater mark of respect for the Agreement by the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.”
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