Discussions on border issues to continue in 2015

Dec 23, 2014 News

– Foreign Affairs Minister

Discussions between Guyana and Suriname, regarding the New River Triangle issue, will be furthered in the New Year. This is according to Minister of Home Affairs, Ms. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, when she hosted a press conference yesterday.
The issue, the Foreign Affairs Minister said, had in fact gained the attention of Border Commissions of both Guyana and Suriname during the course of the year and will resume in 2015.
The Minister in her deliberations said, “I am pleased with the progress made thus far, but certainly in 2015 we hope to even further that, certainly that is the hope of the Government and of course the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
The Minister had earlier alluded to the notion that the New River Triangle as undoubtedly being a part of Guyana’s territory. She had even vocalized her conviction that Guyana’s position with regards to the issue is very clear.
However, Suriname through its Foreign Affairs Minister, had insisted earlier this year that the area was and remains a part of Suriname, a development that Rodrigues-Birkett deems as “regrettable”.
She said that in 1936, the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Dutch Government at the time and British Guiana, decided where the tri-junction point will be.
The Foreign Minister, Rodrigues-Birkett, disclosed that efforts were continuing to address the controversial issue even as she stressed in a comment to the Government Information Agency [GINA] that Guyana is a peace-loving territory. In a comment to that news entity, too, Rodrigues-Birkett noted that while border issues are not resolved overnight, both commissions have been working.
She said that what is necessary, is for all Guyanese citizens to be aware of the history of the matter, “to be aware of Guyana’s borders, to be aware of Guyana’s size and shape, and I think most of them are; and in this case we are very clear.
“But we are a peace loving country, as well, and we have always adhered to the principle of resolving borders in a peaceful manner,” she insisted.
“We went to the Commission on the Laws of the Sea to resolve our maritime border with Suriname. Our bilateral discussions with Suriname through the border commission are aimed at resolving the matter consistent with international law. This is the approach we will take,” the Foreign Minister said.
Meanwhile, the Minister yesterday, commenting on yet another border issue, said that it was following the removal of a vessel from Guyana waters that both the Government of Guyana and Venezuela had agreed to meet to deal with the maritime border issue.
Already one meeting was held between technical teams of both countries but according to Rodrigues-Birkett, “Unfortunately we haven’t made a lot of progress.”
Venezuela has put in place a new Foreign Affairs Minister and according to Rodrigues-Birkett she has since written to the new Minister asking that the matter be concluded.
“It is not an easy issue but I believe with political will on both sides, we will be able to resolve this,” added the Minister.

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