OAS Hosts High-Level Talks on Belize Cross-Border Relations with Guatemala

Planning for the future of cross-border relations took center stage over the last three days as representatives from the Organization of American States gathered at the OAS Adjacency Zone Office for high-level diplomatic talks. Reporter Emogene Herrera has the story.

Imogene Herrera, Love News: OAS representatives concluded a high-level diplomatic visit focusing on the future of cross-border relations. The Organization of American States OAS Adjacency Zone Office was the center of high-level diplomacy over the last three days, playing host to bilateral meetings. The three-day session which began on August 31 was chaired by the OAS Secretary-General Albert Ramdin. It brought together Belize’s foreign minister Francis Fonseca and his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Ramiro Martinez alongside ambassadors from the OAS Group of Friends. The main objective of the summit was to map out a clear strategy for post-ICJ relations and define what role the OAS will play once the ICJ delivers its final judgment on the territorial dispute. Speaking on the discussions, Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca emphasized that planning for future border diplomacy and regional security must begin now. 

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs:  “As you all know, we’re hopeful that in the next 18 months or two years, we will have a final definitive resolution of this unfounded Guatemalan claim. It is before the courts and so we wanted to make sure that we are ready, that the Office of the OAS is prepared for the road ahead over the next two years. And that they will be there to help us beyond the judgement. We will need help and support from our friends in the implementation of that judgement. So we wanted to start that discussion early and get ready for that day.”

Imogene Herrera, Love News: During the session the delegations reviewed field efforts aimed at reducing military and civilian friction along the 213-kilometer border zone. In a symbolic gesture of peace and by national trust, officials visited the Tamai Peace Promotion and Training Center. Where they unveiled a new youth mural celebrating peaceful integration between the two neighboring countries.