SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, Jun 14, CMC – The General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) has approved a Declaration of Support for Belize and Guatemala in their ongoing efforts to find a peaceful solution to their border dispute.
While no details of the declaration have been released here, the OAS has officially tweeted that the declaration was approved during its 46th General assembly now underway here.
Earlier, Belize Foreign Minister Wilfred Erlington told the Assembly that his Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country is working with Guatemala “to see that this matter is resolved successfully at the ICJ (International Court of Justice) at the quickest time and to ensure that between now and then, there is peace between the people of Belize and Guatemala.
“We are both of the view that only benefits can come from a peaceful, harmonious relationship between our two countries and we undertake that we will continue to do all in our power to bring to a speedy conclusion this century’s old dispute,” Erlington said.
For his part, Guatemala’s Foreign Minister, Raul Morales, said that he wanted to emphasis the role played by the OAS “in the insular and maritime dispute we have with Belize.
“The OAS, with the financial assistance from the international community, maintains an important office in the adjacency zone between the two countries, promoting peace, culture and confidence between people of both countries and governments.
“And recently, it has helped us develop local economic projects in the communities along the adjacency zone. Guatemala and Belize have reaffirmed their commitment to resolve their dispute in a definitive manner at the ICJ.”
Morales said that it is necessary to have public consultations in both countries “and in this process, the participation of the organization is vital until the dispute is finally resolved”.
Erlington said that his country as also pleased with the role being played by the hemispheric body reiterating that “I like to think that we have recorded signal process in Guatemala.
The statements by the two foreign ministers come as both countries prepare for the next round of negotiation scheduled for June 21.
Guatemala and Belize have had a long running border dispute with Guatemala claiming the whole or part of Belize since 1940.
