KINGSTOWN, St, Vincent, CMC – Former president of the Trinidad-based Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ), Dir Dennis Byron, has praised Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves on his efforts to facilitate talks between the leaders of Guyana and Venezuela regarding their long-standing border dispute.
President Irfaan Ali of Guyana and his Venezuelan counterpart, Nicolas Maduro, will meet here on Thursday as efforts continue to lessen the tensions brought about by Caracas’s claim to the Essequibo region, which makes up about two-thirds of Guyana and is home to 125,000 of the country’s 800,000 citizens.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ), which is yet to deliver a judgment on the border dispute, had on December 1 called on both parties to “refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the conflict before the court or make it more challenging to resolve.
“The court emphasizes that the question of the validity of the 1899 Award and the related question of the definitive settlement of the land boundary dispute between Guyana and Venezuela are matters for the court to decide at the merits stage,” it added.
Sir Dennis, who is also President of the Commonwealth Judicial Education Institute, had in a December 11 letter to Gonsalves said that his leadership, particularly as the head of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), exemplifies a commitment to unity and peace, crucial to resolving conflicts in the interconnected world.
Sir Dennis noted that the proactive approach by Prime Minister Gonsalves in facilitating the discussions is a monumental step towards diffusing the long-standing tensions over disputed territories.”
He said the “strategic decision to host this significant dialogue on December 14” in Kingstown is a testament to Gonsalves’ diplomatic understanding and dedication to regional stability.
Sir Dennis said that the Prime Minister’s efforts in his diplomatic endeavor address the immediate concerns of the Guyana-Venezuela border controversy and reinforce the importance of diplomacy and adherence to international law in maintaining peace.
In offering advice to Prime Minister Gonsalves, Sir Dennis said, “The maintenance of peace in our region hinges not only on resolving current disputes but also on building resilient structures for future diplomacy.
“It would, therefore, be beneficial to consider establishing ongoing dialogue forums within CARICOM, where leaders can regularly discuss and preempt potential conflicts, and such forums would not only strengthen the regional unity but also enhance the collective ability to address challenges proactively.”
The talks here on Thursday are being facilitated by CELAC and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
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