The Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Catherine Colonna, engaged in a conversation with Guyana’s President, Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, addressing the ongoing territorial dispute between Guyana and Venezuela. The dialogue underscored France’s commitment to upholding Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity per the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
“The Minister reiterated the importance of Guyana’s sovereignty and territorial integrity being respected in line with the principles of the United Nations Charter,” stated France’s Diplomatic Office.
Furthermore, France called upon Venezuela to exercise restraint and refrain from taking unilateral actions in the territorial dispute. The call for restraint echoes the broader international sentiment that disputes should be resolved through peaceful means and dialogue rather than unilateral actions that could escalate tensions in the region.
France also expressed its strong commitment to the use of international mechanisms such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The Minister emphasized the importance of fully implementing the decisions rendered by the ICJ, particularly referencing its order of December 1, 2023. The Court had issued measures urging Venezuela to respect Guyana’s control of the Essequibo region and urged both Guyana and Venezuela not to take any action to aggravate the controversy.
France declared its intention to continue backing regional and international initiatives aimed at fostering dialogue among the involved parties. This includes the extraordinary session convened by the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on Thursday, December 14, including the presence of the Venezuelan and Guyanese Presidents.
The diplomatic conversation between France and Guyana also provided an opportunity to discuss the challenges and future engagements in the Franco-Guyanese relationship. France warmly welcomed Guyana’s election as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, highlighting the potential for cooperation between the two neighboring countries within the Guiana Shield. On the part of France, the neighbor is its overseas territory, French Guiana. Back in November, military leaders of Guyana and French Guiana had met, during which the latter expressed support for Guyana amid the current challenges.
