Topic: 2024-The Situation in Guyana
Country: Malta
Delegate Name: Levi Klein
Committee: SPECPOL
Topic Area: Situation in Guyana
Country: Malta
Delegate: Levi Klein, Fishers High School
I would like to apologize in advance for the shortness of this paper, as it was difficult to find much relevant
information on Malta’s stance on the Guyana-Venezuela Border Dispute.
The Maltese Republic believes that resources that lie in countries border, belong rightfully to that country. The Venezuelan Government is attempting to argue that the Arbital Award of 1899 about the frontier between Guyana and Venezuela is null and void. The dispute is over the Essequibo region, a circa 160,000 square kilometer stretch, which is 2/3 of Guyana’s total landmass. Venezuela insists that the area is theirs, after finding oil reserves off the Essequibo coast. It should be said, that Guyana is a one of, if not, the poorest country in South America, and Venezuela holds the 3rd largest economy in South America (Primarily from oil).
Malta’s Government would hope to strive for a peaceful resolution to this conflict. Our Foreign Minister has taken a stance on this topic, having submitted a paper at the CFAMM to formally address the dispute. Even here, in Malta our primary border dispute is with Libya, and us, as well as Guyana, have took our dispute cases to the International Court of Justice. But, unlike Guyana, we have been able to successfully lessen tensions with Libya. We have expressed our concern about the possible escalation of tensions to Security Council, and we stressed that ensuring Latin America and the Caribbean remains a zone of peace, is imperative. The members of our security council have urged the parties to peacefully resolve the dispute and uphold obligations under international law.
Malta believes that U.N Peacekeepers should be positioned in Venezuela and Guyana, in hopes to minimize risk of violent encounters, and to increase relations between the two countries. A Peacekeeping operation would be beneficial by protecting civilians from unwanted, surprised violence, add field support in compromised areas, and keep conflict at a minimum in general. We believe that Venezuela and Guyana can come to a peaceful resolution to this conflict.
Citations:
“Security Council Press Statement on Guyana–Venezuela Situation.” Press.un.org, https://press.un.org/en/2024/sc15665.doc.htm. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
“Commonwealth Foreign Ministers Plan for Malta Summit and Address Guyana-Venezuela Border Dispute.” Commonwealth, https://thecommonwealth.org/news/commonwealth-foreign-ministers-plan-malta-summit-and-address-guyana-venezuela-border-dispute. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
“Private Meeting on the Territorial Dispute between Guyana and Venezuela.” Security Council Report, https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2024/04/private-meeting-on-the-territorial-dispute-between-guyana-and-venezuela.php. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
“Border Controversy between Guyana and Venezuela.” Dppa.un.org, https://dppa.un.org/en/mission/border-controversy-between-guyana-and-venezuela. Accessed 19 Nov. 2024.
