Belize and Guatemala delegates meet at OAS Headquarters

Delegations from Belize and Guatemala met on Monday at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS). Minister Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington of Belize and Haroldo Rodas Melgar of Guatemala led the delegations that sat down with OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, in what has been described as a highly cordial and cooperative atmosphere. According to a release from the OAS, both foreign ministers expressed appreciation for the work being done in the Adjacency Zone since 2003 to maintain amicable relations between the two countries. The political, technical and financial support provided by Friends of Belize and Guatemala as well as the governments of Canada, Mexico, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States of America was also recognized in the meeting. Discussions on those partnerships will continue in a follow up meeting between the Group of Friends in Guatemala City and the OAS Secretary General which is scheduled for December twelfth. On Monday, Foreign Ministers Elrington and Rodas renewed their commitment to comply with the terms of a special agreement signed in December 2008, to hold simultaneous referendums on taking the territorial dispute to the ICJ. While elections are around the corner for Belize, it was decided that a bilateral meeting on the referendum process would be convened before the end of 2013. Meanwhile, Secretary General Insulza, recommends that education campaigns for the residents of both countries begin as early as possible. And in the first quarter of 2012, there will be a meeting of the High–Level Working Group to discuss the strengthening of cooperation and coordination between inter-governmental agencies, as well as to identify joint opportunities and programs in the fields of education, technical cooperation, and development.