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Continental shelf extension…Application at UN was not opposed by Venezuela – Ralph Ramkarran
Attorney and former Speaker of the National Assembly, Ralph Ramkarran, has defended Guyana’s application to the United Nations for the extension of its continental shelf by 150 nautical miles.
Ramkarran, in replying to a list of questions posed by the Venezuelan newspaper, El Universal, noted that Venezuela did not oppose Guyana’s initial submission of information to the UN Commission on the Continental Shelf.
Ralph Ramkarran
Ramkarran was elected in 1994 as Guyana’s Facilitator to the United Nations Good Offices Process under the Geneva Agreement, relating to the Guyana-Venezuela Border controversy.
The newspaper said Wednesday that Ramkarran agreed to answer a questionnaire sent by El Universal.
Regarding his view on the territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela, Ramkarran reportedly explained that the controversy has arisen as a result of Venezuela’s contention that the Arbitral Award of 1899 which demarcated the boundary between the two countries is null and void.
He also said that while it would be difficult to predict the outcome of any resolution, both countries have maintained good relations and are engaged in amicable discussion over a range of issues, including the controversy, under the UN Good Offices Process. These engagements provide a good possibility of a resolution, he stated.
Ramkarran also asserted that the Good Offices Process – the means by which Guyana and Venezuela have agreed upon for a resolution of the border issue – is one which could see results.
“The UN Secretary General Good Offices Process has been agreed to by both countries and has been renewed from time to time. Both countries have confidence in this Process as offering a mechanism for discussions.”
The attorney disclosed that ever since Caribbean national Norman Girvan was appointed as Good Officer, he has met with the parties, and the discussions are ongoing. However, he did not go into details.
Asked whether the application that Guyana submitted to the UN’s Commission runs counter to the Geneva Agreement, as it disregards the existence of the dispute, Ramkarran was firm that Guyana was not of that opinion.
“The Government of Guyana does not think so and informed Venezuela of its intention to make the application which has been made without prejudice to the rights of any other country. Guyana’s borders as defined on its official map are internationally recognized, and on that basis, Guyana has a lawful right to apply for an extension of its continental shelf. Its initial submission of information to the Commission on the Continental Shelf was not opposed by Venezuela.”
In concluding, Ramkarran told the newspaper that relations between Guyana and Venezuela are very good.
Late last year, Guyana made the application for the extension of its continental shelf which, if approved, would allow for the country to extend its search for oil and other resources.
Recently the application has been meeting with resistance by Venezuela, which says that the age-old claim on a large part of Essequibo would nullify it.
Venezuela is also questioning the authority of the UN Commission to process the application.
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