SG/2060

FOREIGN MINISTERS OF VENEZUELA AND GUYANA MEET AT HEADQUARTERS, REVIEW CONTROVERSY BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES

22 September 1999


Press Release
SG/2060


FOREIGN MINISTERS OF VENEZUELA AND GUYANA MEET AT HEADQUARTERS, REVIEW CONTROVERSY BETWEEN TWO COUNTRIES

19990922

NEW YORK, 20 September (Department of Political Affairs) -– The Foreign Minister of Venezuela, José Vicente Rangel Vale, and the Foreign Minister of Guyana, Clement Rohee, met today at Headquarters with senior United Nations officials to review the state of discussions on the controversy between the two countries.

United Nations officials present at the meeting were the Personal Representative of the Secretary-General, Sir Alister McIntyre, and the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Alvaro de Soto. The Ministers were accompanied by: the facilitators of Guyana and Venezuela, Ralph Ramkarran and Carlos Ayala Corao, respectively; Guyana’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Samuel Insanally; Venezuela’s Chargé d’affaires to the United Nations, Carlos Bivero; and the Director of Political Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela, Francisco Velez.

In reviewing the situation, the Ministers noted that relations between the two countries were good and were improving in a number of areas. They noted also that discussions taking place under the aegis of the Secretary-General of the Untied Nations were being conducted in a cordial and positive atmosphere. The Foreign Ministers drew attention to the establishment of a high-level bilateral commission between the two countries, which would deal with cooperation in a number of economic, social, cultural and environmental areas.

They stressed the continuing importance of the process under the good offices of the Secretary-General, which, among other things, would provide oversight, context and momentum to their efforts of cooperation. The Ministers look forward to the meeting of their heads of State, early next year, and agreed that they would meet as circumstances allow in the months ahead.

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For information media. Not an official record.