Guyana has called on Venezuela to respect the Geneva Agreement, which set the international border between both countries.
Last Friday marked 57 years since the agreement was signed.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) heard oral hearings from Guyana and Venezuela in mid-November last year.
Guyana called Venezuela’s claims that the agreement is ‘null and void’ “baseless” in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The disputed territory is known as the Guayana Esequiba region in Venezuela and it encompasses a land area that is more than half of Guyana’s territory. The region is resource rich with deposits of precious metals and hydrocarbon.
“Venezuela has sought over the years to undermine the Agreement and specifically to frustrate the resolution of the controversy by the judicial process even when, as now, it is obliged to participate,” the ministry said.
Guyana said any attempt by Venezuela to restrict its sovereignty and rights over the area goes against international law.
“As Guyana’s lawful development of its resources proceeds, it is pertinent today to emphasise that the Geneva Agreement imposes no obligation on Guyana to refrain from economic development activities in any portion of its territory or any appurtenant maritime areas.”
Guyana considers that no greater homage can be paid to it by our sister Republic than full compliance with its terms, including Article IV paragraph 2, pursuant to which the Secretary General of the United Nations has chosen the International Court of Justice as the means for final and binding settlement of the controversy.”
Guyana added that it looks forward to Venezuela returning to the judicial processes of the Geneva Agreement.
Source: loopnews