The Guyana Government has again rejected the position of Venezuela in questioning the legitimacy of the current proceedings before the International Court of Justice and has reiterated its support for the Court process and have the border dispute settled in a peaceful manner.

In observing the 60^th anniversary since the signing of the Geneva agreement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a release said Guyana firmly rejects assertions and misrepresentations emanating from official Venezuelan pronouncements which seek to distort the purpose and legal effect of the Geneva Agreement, deny the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice, or assert unfounded claims to Guyana’s sovereign territory.

The Ministry again explained that the Geneva Agreement does not extinguish the 1899 Arbitral Award, nor does it confer upon Venezuela the right to unilaterally determine the status of Guyana’s Essequibo region but it instead provides a clear and lawful pathway, before the International Court of Justice, for the definitive resolution of the controversy.

“Equally untenable are Venezuela’s claims that the judicial process before the ICJ is inconsistent with the Geneva Agreement. On the contrary, as the Court expressly determined in rejecting Venezuela’a arguments, recourse to the Court flows directly from the express provisions of Article IV (2) of the said Agreement and from the decision of the United Nations Secretary General acting within the authority conferred upon him by both Parties pursuant to the provisions of that Agreement. The Court has thus found that it is the proper and lawful forum for the settlement of the controversy, and its eventual judgment will be final and binding upon both Parties under international law,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The Ministry said Guyana remains steadfast in its adherence to the principles of international law, the sanctity of treaties, and the peaceful settlement of disputes. The Ministry noted that for nearly six decades, Guyana has acted in good faith, respecting both the letter and spirit of the Geneva Agreement, while maintaining full compliance with its international obligations.

 The Ministry has expressed that Guyana will continue to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity through lawful and peaceful means and with full confidence in the impartial adjudication of the International Court of Justice.

“Guyana reiterates its unwavering commitment to the judicial process before the ICJ and to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law. At Guyana’s request, the Court has twice ordered provisional measures to preserve the status quo and ensure that neither party undertakes actions which might aggravate or extend the dispute pending its final judgment. Guyana has consistently complied with these orders and has called upon Venezuela to do likewise, in strict observance of its international obligations,” the Ministry stated.

The Government has also issued a call for Venezuela to recommit itself to the rule of international law, to respect the ongoing judicial process before the International Court of Justice, and to refrain from actions or statements which may undermine peace and stability in the region.

The Geneva Agreement was signed on 17th February 1966. The treaty establishes legal and diplomatic significance in that it established the framework for the peaceful resolution of the controversy arising from Venezuela’s contention regarding the validity of the 1899 Arbitral Award, which fixed the boundary between British Guiana and Venezuela.

Signed by the United Kingdom and Venezuela, and subsequently acceded to by the independent State of Guyana on 26 May 1966, the Geneva Agreement is a binding international instrument deposited with the United Nations and grounded firmly in the principles of the United Nations Charter and the rule of international law. 

Related posts:

Guyana rejects Chinese Embassy’s suggestion of “negotiation” with Venezuela over border controversy Venezuela rejects International Court’s decision on jurisdiction in border matter ICJ Begins Hearing of Guyana vs Venezuela Border Matter Today Venezuela wants Diplomatic Contacts rather than Judicial settlement of border controversy with Guyana