UK Minister’s visit: Guyana, UK to expand security, economic development relations

…will discuss int’l support for Guyana with envoys of other ABCE countries

The United Kingdom Under Secretary of State, David Rutley, on what was the first official visit of a G7 Minister since Venezuela’s intensified claims on Guyana’s Essequibo region, has made it clear that his country was unequivocally in Guyana’s corner.
On Monday, President Dr Irfaan Ali met with the visiting UK Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. That meeting saw discussions on expanding relations between the UK and Guyana, in sustainable and economic development and security.

Rutley was accompanied by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Americas Director, Robert Tinline and the UK’s High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller. Prime Minister, Brigadier (Retired) Mark Phillips and Senior Minister within the Office of the President with responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh were also present.
Other senior officials who were present included Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Hugh Todd; National Security Advisor, Captain Gerry Gouveia; Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Omar Khan and the Director of Presidential Affairs, Marcia Nadir-Sharma.
According to the British Foreign Office, Rutley, while in Guyana, expressed the UK’s unequivocal backing for Guyana against Venezuela’s territorial claims. Further, he expressed that the border between the two countries had been settled over 120 years ago and that sovereign borders must be respected.
“I am in Guyana, a fellow Commonwealth member, to offer the UK’s unequivocal backing to our Guyanese friends. The border issue has been settled for over 120 years. Sovereign borders must be respected wherever they are in the world,” Rutley said.
Additionally, he welcomed the recent Argyle declaration in St Vincent and the Grenadines, for non-violence between Guyana and Venezuela. The Under Secretary also expressed that the UK would continue its collaboration with regional partners and international bodies, to help protect Guyana’s territorial integrity.
“We welcome the recent agreement by Venezuela in St Vincent to refrain from the use of force and any further escalation. The UK will continue to work with partners in the region, as well as through international bodies, to ensure the territorial integrity of Guyana is upheld,” the Under Secretary was quoted as saying.

Meeting of ABCE diplomats
Another announcement by the Foreign Office was that Rutley would meet with the Ambassadors of the United States, Canada and European Union (EU), to discuss international support for Guyana.
Further, the Minister will hold talks with Caribbean Community (Caricom) Secretary General Dr Carla Barnett and also business leaders, to discuss the controversy and the ways it has affected them.

“During his visit, the Minister will also meet Ambassadors from the United States, Canada and the European Union to discuss international support for Guyana. While in Georgetown, Minister Rutley will hold talks with Caricom Secretary General and meet business leaders to hear how they have been affected by the situation. He will also lay a wreath to honour five Guyanese service personnel killed in a recent helicopter crash,” the Foreign Office explained.
Venezuela has, in recent months, intensified its threats and aggression towards Guyana but the two countries recently signed a joint declaration agreeing not to use force or threats amid the controversy.
On Thursday, December 14, 2023, in Argyle, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Presidents Ali and his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolás Maduro held discussions on matters consequential to the territory involved in the border controversy.
After more than eight hours of engagements, the two Heads of State agreed that Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, will not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstance, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States.
In a joint declaration, the Heads also agreed that any controversy between the two States would be resolved in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Agreement dated February 17, 1966.
The two countries have also committed to the pursuance of good neighbourliness, peaceful coexistence, and the unity of Latin America and the Caribbean. It was also agreed that both States would refrain, whether by words or deeds, from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any controversy. (G3)