ACP Calls on Guatemala to Respect Belize’s Borders

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wilfred Elrington attended the eight summit of the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Heads of State and Governments.  The summit concluded today in Papua New Guinea with the adoption of a declaration which included language on Belize. It reads in part: “We strongly reaffirm unequivocal support for Belize’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in relation to on-going tensions along the border of Belize caused by the Republic of Guatemala’s persistent territorial claims. We call on the Government of the Republic of Guatemala to respect the borders of Belize as established in the 1859 Treaty, and move with urgency to agree on protocols for the use of the Sarstoon River on the southern border of Belize.” The grouping urges  both governments to refrain from the threat or use of force, to respect international agreements, and to move with expedition to hold national referenda with the goal of submitting all Guatemala’s claims to the International Court of Justice for final resolution. As it relates to the O.A.S. Office at the Adjacency Zone, the ACP declaration calls on the international community, including the European Union, to support the efforts of Belize and Guatemala to seek a final and just resolution to Guatemala’s claims. From Papua New Guinea, Elrington travels to Habana, Cuba.