Bangladesh chairs Commonwealth meeting on Guyana

Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain has chaired a meeting on the Commonwealth Ministerial Group on Guyana (CMGG) virtually on Tuesday evening.

The meeting was also attended by the foreign ministers and representatives from Antigua and Barbuda, Canada, Guyana, Jamaica, South Africa, and the United Kingdom, a foreign ministry press release said here today.

During the virtual meeting the foreign affairs and international cooperation minister of Guyana presented the recent updates on the status of the dispute over the Essequibo region between Venezuela and Guyana.

The Group reiterated its firm and steadfast support for the ICJ process as the appropriate and lawful means to address the matter under international law.

Bangladesh reaffirmed its unequivocal support to the preservation of the territorial integrity, and sovereignty of Guyana. Ministers and representative of Antigua and Barbuda, Canada, Guyana, Jamaica, South Africa, and the United Kingdom also reaffirmed their commitment towards the sovereign rights of Guyana.

After an exhaustive discussion, the group agreed to issue a concluding statement appreciating Guyana’s restraint and adherence to the international law.

During the virtual meeting, the ministers expressed condolences on the passing of Sir Shridath Surendranath Ramphal, the longest serving and second Commonwealth Secretary-General, for his exemplary global leadership.

The recalled Shridath’s pivotal role in the coordination of international opposition to apartheid in South Africa, visionary advocacy for the rights of small states, and tireless work to bring nations together.

The Commonwealth secretary general appreciated and thanked the foreign adviser of Bangladesh for chairing the meeting with due expertise and diligence, said a message received here. (BSS)