One of the initiatives of Bernardo Arévalo’s government in terms of foreign policy is to resume the bilateral agenda with Belize. Last Monday, Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño met with executive authorities to promote political and commercial relations.
Experts discuss the progress made and explain that the rapprochement is in response to political objectives.
According to information shared by the government, it was possible to “consolidate fruitful cooperation with Belize, as well as promote initiatives that reinforce peace, security and sustainable development in the Adjacency Zone.”
They were achieved agreements on five topicsRegarding work, they committed to establishing a Bilateral Technical Committee to expedite work visa processes and implement safe migration programs.
As regards tourism, further meetings will be held to address points of possible alliances. The issue of the Partial Scope Agreement was also discussed, which will be updated and the list of products being marketed will be expanded.
In addition, with regard to security, coordination between the forces of both countries will be strengthened within the framework of the Confidence Building Measures, for the benefit of peace, security and development in the Adjacency Zone. The Guatemalan Ministry of Defense also offered the neighboring country training opportunities for its officers.
The fifth topic was energy, for which the Joint Technical Roundtable for Guatemala-Belize Electrical Interconnection will be created.
More meetings
The Petén departmental government stated that communication is maintained with the neighboring country, especially through the Vice Ministry in Charge of Petén Affairs that belongs to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food (Maga).
“We are two neighbouring countries and we want to improve the relationship we have had with respect to the exchange of capabilities,” said the governor of the department, Mauricio Acevedo.
Approximately two months ago, the Vice Minister of Petén Affairs, Elmer Salazar, held a technical meeting with the corresponding authorities of Belize. According to information from the neighboring country, Guatemala expressed its intention to receive technical assistance in the cultivation of citrus fruits.
“Guatemala does not have citrus and they want to start. They asked us to give them technical assistance on how to start. I think Belize is one of the few countries that has a good system in which it has certifications that clean material is imported and we have grown in terms of environmental control,” José Mai, Minister of Agriculture of Belize, told local media on that occasion.
Former Foreign Minister Edgar Gutiérrez said that at the territorial level, Petén and Izabal should be incorporated into the approaches, especially in the areas of the environment, tourism and investment.
“This is a good time to strengthen relations with Mexico and Belize. I think it is necessary to incorporate a territorial dimension (scaling up agreements at the level of governors in Petén and Izabal, as well as with neighboring mayors) and an environmental dimension associated with tourism and investment,” said the expert.
Political purposes
Gutiérrez added that relations with Belize have improved since the territorial dispute was brought before the International Court of Justice, especially because armed conflicts between the two territories have ceased.
“I appreciate Belize’s good neighborliness, with a lot of potential for tourism and triangular interconnection with Mexico in trade, communications, energy and other fields. Politically, Belize is stable and a good economic and social influence from Guatemala can continue to strengthen ties,” said the former foreign minister.
On the other hand, diplomat Luis Fernando Andrade maintains a position that the meeting like the one that occurred that week between Briceño and Arévalo responds to political ends in search of showing commitment within the framework of implementing the ruling of the Court of The Hague.
“This is a political visit to express confidence that both sides will respect the ruling,” he said.
The fact that electrical interconnection was part of the agenda and that climate change was left out is an aspect that caught Andrade’s attention. He considered that the electricity generating companies probably have intentions to expand the market.
“This electric power issue is interesting because if the demand that they -Belize- need is met, then that is already integration, it is an interesting formula. Electric integration also provides potential for development,” he said.
Expand alliances
According to Andrade, Guatemala should also seek to improve its alliances with Central America because it is an important region for trade and investment.
“There has been some rapprochement with Honduras, but there has been no agenda with El Salvador. Belize is secondary to the issue of Central America,” he said.
The diplomat maintains that the central government must openly communicate the foreign policy strategy that is being handled in order to understand the alliances that are prioritized and the issues of interest with each country with which rapprochements are maintained.
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