At a joint news conference following the meeting between the two leaders, President Jagdeo gave a background to the Guyana/Suriname maritime dispute and his country’s exhaustive attempts to seek resolution prior to pursuing compulsory arbitration under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Guyanese Head of State gave further assurances that there is no conspiracy against Trinidad and Tobago by Guyana. He explained that the Exclusive Economic Zone Cooperation Treaty between Guyana and Barbados has been under negotiation for two years and are not the result of recent developments.

The Treaty provides for a Joint Fisheries Licensing Agreement, a Joint Commission for the Exploration of Non-living Resources and Joint Security Arrangements in the overlapping Exclusive Economic Zone between the two countries.

President Jagdeo explained that this agreement is consistent with International Law and the Revised Treaty of Chaguaramas.

He said Guyana has always held a consistent position of objection to the Delimitation Treaty of 1990 between Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela, and maintained that Guyana would steadfastly defend its territorial integrity and sovereignty.

On Saturday, the Guyanese Leader met the Prime Minister of Barbados. According to President Jagdeo, in his meetings with Prime Ministers Arthur and Manning, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to amicably resolving differences and strengthening the integration process.

President Jagdeo left the country last week to attend the Guyana Trade Fair hosted in Barbados.