Guyana's President Dr Irfaan Ali says there is no disputing where the boundary lies between the Essequibo territory and Venezuela.
Dr Ali says this issue was settled more than a century ago when the Arbitral Tribunal delivered its award, which resolved the territorial claims in meticulous detail. Both Guyana and Venezuela agreed to abide by the award, which established the land boundary.
Speaking on CNC3's The Morning Brew today, Dr Ali said Venezuela is expected to submit its counter-memorial today as the International Court of Justice gets ready to hear the merits of the case, since Venezuelan is once again claiming the Essequibo territory.
"We are very clear as to where our borders are,” Dr Ali stated.
“There is no doubt that the 1899 Arbitral Award settled our border. “However, our neighbours would have raised some controversy and that is being addressed at the rightful place in keeping with international law.”
“In adhering to the rule of law, we are a rule-based society, and the matter is before the ICJ,” he said. “We have encouraged Venezuela to participate fully in the ICJ process."
President Ali is hoping that the issue can be settled peacefully. He says this is critical to the development of Guyana and the Caribbean region.
“Guyana's only ambition and intention is to promote peace and ensure that our region remains a region of peace and stability,” the Guyana President said. “Our concern is to ensure also that whatever we build—energy corridor, transport corridor—bridging South America, bridging the Guyana Shield, integrating the country so that we can build integrated economies, integrated systems.”
“We want a region that is secure,” he added.
Venezuela’s assertion is that the 1899 arbitral award is null and void.