Talks on!

Officials involved in the Venezuela-Guyana border controversy discussion touched down in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) this morning, with the last arrival being that of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Foreign Ministers, Permanent Secretaries and Prime Ministers from Barbados, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, St Lucia, Brazil are also on the ground in SVG.

On her way into the talks, Barbados Prime Minister, Mia Mottley said the number of leaders participating in today’s meeting is testament to the crucial nature of the talks.

President Ali said today’s  talks will only surround the facts of the decades-old border controversy between the neighbouring countries.

“I’m taking the facts with me and the facts remain that the 1899 Award clearly defines the border between Guyana and Venezuela.”

President Maduro addressed the media briefly before heading into the meeting, saying, that his administration is open to talks in the “path of peace” and also to find agreeable and legal solutions that can satisfy both parties.

The arrival of the visiting delegations presented some problems for the local, regional and international media who weren’t given little information as to the procedures for the day.

This resulted in shouting matches and physical tussles between security officials and media personnel when President Ali and President Maduro landed on the tarmac.

The possibility of a full resolution, though, remains up in the air as President Ali had stated vehemently that Guyana’s position on Essequibo’s border is “non-negotiable” and the Parliament has decided that the matter is not to be discussed until the International Court of Justice has ruled on the issue.

Meetings will be convened separately with CARICOM and CELAC officials.

It is expected that following the meeting, the media will be briefed on the discussions.