UN envoy meets with Ministers of Guyana, Venezuela to help resolve border dispute
| Publisher | UN News Service |
| Publication Date | 21 October 2013 |
| Cite as | UN News Service, UN envoy meets with Ministers of Guyana, Venezuela to help resolve border dispute, 21 October 2013, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/526644364.html [accessed 19 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
A United Nations envoy has presented a plan to move forward the long-standing border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.
According to a note today from a UN spokesperson, Norman Girvan, the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General on the border dispute, had "very productive separate meetings" on 17 October with the Foreign Ministers of Guyana, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, and Venezuela, Elías Jaua.
The Ministers emphasized the excellent bilateral relations that currently exist between the two States, the readout noted, and welcomed Mr. Girvan's initiative, which includes a schedule of meetings "to move the process forward over the coming months."
The UN spokesperson said that Mr. Girvan appreciated the confidence that the Ministers put in the Good Offices process.
"He looks forward to providing the Ministers with suggestions in the coming weeks, and discussing them with each of the Foreign Ministers in the near future," the note said.
At issue is the disputed Essequibo region, which since 1899 has functioned as a territory administered by Guyana but is claimed by Venezuela.
The dispute over the region resurfaced last year when Guyana asked the Organization to extend its continental shelf.
