President Irfaan Ali has restated his position that he is prepared to meet with his Venezuelan counterpart, President Nicolas Maduro, to strengthen relations between Guyana and Venezuela, while the International Court of Justice is dealing with the ongoing border controversy matter.

Addressing the Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), in St Vincent this afternoon, President Ali told regional leaders, including the Venezuelan President, that Guyana remains a peaceful country and understands the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Latin America and Caribbean Region.

He said it was in that vein that Guyana accepted the offer of CELAC, CARICOM, Brazil and the UN as an observer, to facilitate dialogue between himself and the Venezuelan President last December.

“I assured everyone at that time, and now, that I am prepared to speak with President Maduro on any aspect that may contribute to enhancing the relationship between our two countries. The aspect relating to Venezuela’s claim to the Essequibo is before the International Court of Justice and the Joint Declaration of Argyle on Dialogue and Peace acknowledges that Guyana is committed to the process and procedures of the International Court of Justice for the resolution of the border controversy. We are prepared to accept the judgement of the Court on this matter,” the President stated.

Ali told regional leaders that Guyana is built on peace, fairness and honesty. He called out the leaders from Bolivia who raised the issue of Guyana’s joint military exercises in Guyana with its security partners.

“Instead of drawing conclusions, States within the region must ascertain the facts. Statements that are not based on facts can only add to destabilization. As we heard this morning from our friends in Bolivia, the air surveillance and sea exercises mentioned by Bolivia were part of bilateral and regional security cooperation and had nothing to do with the Guyana and Venezuela controversy. It is also important to note that no mention was made about the incursions into Guyana’s territorial space,” President Ali noted.

The President also said Guyana will not allow itself to be used as grounds for the launching of any war.

“I assure all leaders here that Guyana’s priority is peace and you can have the confidence that our territory will never ever be used as a platform for war or to promote war”

The President said Guyana remains steadfast in its commitment to the international judicial process, as well as, to maintaining the region as a Zone of Peace.

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