JOINT BOUNDARY COMMISSION TO ENGAGE IN ANOTHER ROUND OF TALKS

St. George’s, January 20, 2010 -- Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Peter David, has reported that “considerable progress’’ was made at the most recent round of maritime talks between Grenada and oil-rich Trinidad and Tobago.

Representatives of the two countries met in St. George’s last week as part of the Joint Boundary Commission.  Minister David said Tuesday another round of talks will be required before negotiations by the commission can be concluded.  He is optimistic that a final deal could be reached, saying negotiators are closer to finding that exact point where Trinidad ends and Grenada begins.

“We have not yet concluded negotiations but I must say that there is an immense amount of optimism based on work done last Thursday and Friday,’’ Minister David told reporters.

A month after leading the National Democratic Congress to a general election victory in 2008, Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas visited Trinidad and Tobago where he met with Prime Minister Patrick Manning.  The two leaders committed themselves to resolving the outstanding delimitation issue.

Foreign Minister David has called for understanding and patience during the ongoing negotiation process.  He labeled the delimitation talks as “extremely critical,’’ adding that the discussions cannot be rushed.

“We admit that the process is tedious and difficult.  But people must also be aware that the issue is not only about a boundary line,’’ Mr. David. “It’s one which can result in the exploration of resources we anticipate are at the bottom of the sea belonging to Grenada.’’

The goal of achieving an established boundary line between the two countries is in keeping with the NDC’s policy of identifying and making full use of resources belonging to Grenada, the Minister added. Final work by the Joint Boundary Commission will continue in Trinidad and Tobago next month. The participants will include cartographers and marine experts.