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Almost 5 weeks ago, we told you how the ACP - or African, Caribbean and Pacific countries passed a resolution to support Belize’s territorial integrity. Well, that bloc of 79 nations has once again offered its support for Belize in the ongoing territorial dispute with Guatemala.

The 8th Summit of the ACP Heads of State and Government concluded in Papua, New Guinea today. Foreign Affairs Minister Wilfred Elrington and Dylan Vernon, the Ambassador to the European Union represented Belize.

The Summit adopted a declaration including a paragraph just for Belize. It’s a clear statement of support for Belize on the Guatemalan claim; it says, quote, “We strongly reaffirm unequivocal support for Belize’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in relation to on-going tensions along the border of Belize caused by the Republic of Guatemala’s persistent territorial claims. We call on the Government of the Republic of Guatemala to respect the borders of Belize as established in the 1859 Treaty, and move with urgency to agree on protocols for the use of the Sarstoon River on the southern border of Belize. We urge both governments to refrain from the threat or use of force, to respect international agreements, and to move with expedition to hold national referenda with the goal of submitting all Guatemala's claims to the International Court of Justice for final resolution. We renew our call on the international community, including the European Union, to support the efforts of Belize and the Republic of Guatemala to seek a peaceful, final and just resolution to Guatemala’s claims, and in particular to support the facilitation work of the Organization of American States through its Office in the Adjacency Zone.â€￾ End Quote.