– Foreign Ministry allocated $3.6B for foreign policy programme
As the Guyana/Venezuela border controversy court date at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) draws nearer, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd, has assured that all efforts are being put into preparing for the case.
The Minister was at the time making his contribution to the 2022 Budget debates. He explained that $3.6B has been allocated to his Ministry to carry out its foreign policy programme and improve Guyana’s bilateral relations with the international community.
Important among those efforts is ensuring the adjudicating of Guyana’s border case against Venezuela. Guyana, which filed its memorial in the case in 2018, will have to submit written pleadings for its case on March 8, 2022.
According to the Minister, his Ministry will not rest in working on preserving Guyana’s sovereignty, and Guyana would be in a state of readiness by March 8 when it has to present its written submissions for its memorial.
“We will not rest in our efforts to preserve our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Following the ICJ ruling on the jurisdiction in the case of the Guyana/ Venezuela controversy, we have been putting all our efforts into preparing to submit the merits of our case by March 8 this year.
“Equally, we will continue to be a responsible member of the international community, enhancing our profile on the regional (stage),” Minister Todd said.
He also noted that, over the time the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) has been in office since 2020, Guyana has revamped its foreign relations and built bridges.
According to Todd, the country’s bond with the international community has grown stronger, and so has the professionalism of its Foreign Service.
“Guyana’s bond with its international partners is stronger than it’s ever been before. The PPP commitment to our foreign policy agenda is driven by a cadre of trained diplomats and qualified staff at the headquarters, as well as those stationed at our embassies, High Commissions, and consulates abroad.
“Budget 2022 will provide valuable support for the implementation of the Ministry’s policy guidelines in a systematic manner regarding postings and cross-postings,” Minister Todd also said.
