Venezuela and Guyana to continue dialogue over disputed territory

Venezuela and Guyana have agreed to continue dialogue over a disputed territory rich in oil and minerals and set up a joint commission to address the issue, according to a joint statement following a meeting between the two countries' presidents in Kingstown, capital of the Caribbean nation of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, on Dec. 14.

An 11-point declaration said it had been agreed that "Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, will not threaten or use force against each other under any circumstances, including those arising from any dispute existing between both states."

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his Guyanese counterpart Mohamed Irfaan Ali met for the first time after several weeks of verbal confrontation over Essequibo, or Guayana Esequiba, a territory that has been disputed for more than 100 years.

The dispute has escalated recently with the Maduro government holding a consultative referendum on Dec. 3 that backed Venezuela's right to annex the territory. Guyana adheres to the borders delimited by the Arbitration Award of 1899, which Venezuela considers null.

Maduro upon his return to Venezuela said that his talks with the president of Guyana had been "tense at times, but we were able to speak the truth," according to a statement from Maduro's press office.

The joint declaration made no mention of the oil concessions granted by Guyana in the maritime zone offshore the territory, which have been rejected by Venezuela, but did cover two controversial aspects of the territorial dispute.

Venezuela and Guyana agreed that "any dispute between the two states will be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement of Feb. 17, 1966." The Geneva Agreement was an agreement signed in 1966 under which the sides acknowledged each other's claims and agreed to work towards a practical solution.

The statement also acknowledged that Guyana "is committed to the process and procedures of the International Court of Justice for the resolution of the border dispute."

The Venezuelan government only recognizes as valid the Geneva Agreement. The joint statement included Venezuela's lack of consent and lack of recognition of the International Court of Justice and its jurisdiction in the border controversy.

Venezuela and Guyana have agreed to create a joint commission comprising its respective foreign ministers and other officials to work towards a resolution.

The next meeting of the presidents is scheduled in the next three months or at "any other agreed time".