MINISTER TODD DELIVERS STATEMENT ON ICJ RULING AT PARLIAMENT

STATEMENT on the International Court of Justice Ruling during the 14th Sitting of the National Assembly by the Honourable Hugh Hilton Todd MP, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation

December 23, 2020

Mr Speaker,

Honourable Members of Parliament,

On December 18, 2020, the International Court of Justice ruled that it had jurisdiction to hear Guyana’s Case against Venezuela to secure the integrity of our land. This was a great victory for the rule of law internationally, and for the United Nations whose Secretary General chose the Court for resolution of our Case.  It was, and is, a great moment too for Guyana, whose Governments and people have been united in looking to international justice for upholding the territorial integrity of our country. It is a testimony too, to what we can achieve together as a nation.

As His Excellency President Irfaan Ali noted on the day that the Court rendered its judgement:  

“This victory is testimony to what we can achieve as a people when we are united and this should be a healing point for our country. There is no compromise on our sovereignty, we are together on this. And it is with the same spirit that I think we should be together on the development and future of our country”.        

Thank you.