International rights of sovereignty must be enforced – Brazil’s Defence Minister

Guyana/Venezuela border controversy

…calls for peaceful resolution
…conferred with Cacique Crown of Honour during high-level visit

In its efforts to promote South America as a zone of peace with respect for each other’s territorial sovereignty, Brazil is calling for a peaceful resolution of the on-going border controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.

This call was made by Brazil’s Defence Minister, Raul Jungmann, who led a high-level military delegation from Brazil for a one-day visit to Guyana. As part of the visit, President David Granger conferred the Brazilian Minister with Guyana’s second highest award, the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH).
During the investiture ceremony, held at State House on Friday, Minister Jungmann outlined the need to promote peaceful relations among nations on the South American Continent.
“Like in anywhere else in the world, there is no place for force or opposition… but we have to enforce international rights of sovereignty…(and) we will need to make an effort to get it done,” he stated, while adding that it is imperative that Brazil and Guyana work together for justice to be had peacefully.
According to the Defence Minister, “Brazil believes in the establishment of borders within all ways; the principle of diplomacy; respect for sovereignty; independence; and our endurance between us and our neighbours.”
President Granger acknowledged the resolute commitment of Guyana’s Portuguese-speaking neighbour in preserving South America as a zone of peace, something which is essential to Guyana’s existence.
“Guyana therefore records its appreciation for Brazil’s consistent and unwavering support over the past 50 years, and its support of the peaceful settlement of the territorial controversy which has resulted out of the claim by the Bolivarian

Republic of Venezuela…,” the President noted.
He said the conferring of the award on Brazil’s Defence Minister recognises not only the Brazilian minister’s diligence, but also Brazil’s demonstrated commitment to the respect of international laws and the inviolability of treaties; to international peace-keeping; humanitarian and disaster relief; and, no less, its commitment to the consolidation of defence cooperation between Brazil and Guyana.
“Today’s award of the Cacique Crown of Honour symbolises our highest regard of you, and also the acknowledgement of the successful cooperation which has existed between Guyana and Brazil for nearly 50 years… Guyana looks forward to the intensification of defence cooperation with Brazil; cooperation which (is) essential to preventing transnational crimes such as trafficking in persons, trafficking in illegal narcotics, trafficking in illegal weapons, transnational terrorism, and the spread of contagious diseases,” the Head of State noted.
He posited that the friendship which the two neighbouring countries enjoys is founded on the international principle of, among other things, mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.
Against this backdrop, the Brazilian Defence Minister asserted that his country does not believe in the use of force. In fact, he pointed out that for a century and a half, Brazil has not had any conflict with its neighbours, nor had need to resort to the use of force in determining issues between itself and its neighbours in South America to preserve its existence on the continent.
Prior to Friday’s investiture ceremony, Minister Jungmann and his team meet with several Government ministers, during which the two countries committed to review the September 2012 Joint Communiqué which followed the official visit to Guyana by Ambassador Celso Amorim, then Minister of Defence of Brazil. The review is intended to update the agreements in that document, and bring them in line with present-day realities, as well as to deepen defence cooperation.According to the Guyanese Head of State, “We would like to review the Joint Communiqué to determine its applicability to present-day circumstances. That agreement contained seven points which are being implemented, but in light of the present situation in the northern coast of South America, we would like to review that agreement… to put greater emphasis on surveillance and our involvement in the Amazon Surveillance System.”
To this end, Minister Jungmann informed that Brazil is ready to revisit the terms and provisions of the Communiqué, to work out the modalities of how the two countries can cooperate in the areas of defence outlined by the President.
“We are willing to review the Communiqué. We will do this through our Military Attaché… who will then refer it to the higher authorities,” he said.
Furthermore, the neighbouring Defence Minister offered assistance to tackle transnational crimes which threaten law and order, and citizens’ safety.
“As Minister of Defence, we have responsibility for the army, the marine and the air force; so whatever we can do to assist Guyana, let us know,” the Minister told the President during the high-level meeting.
This return visit by the Portuguese neighbour comes on the heels of President Granger’s high-level visit to Brazil late last year. Guyana and Brazil are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations this year.