President David Granger and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro are likely to meet at the Fourth Summit of the South American and Arab Countries (ASPA), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, November 10-11.

This could make way for another opportunity for the two Heads of Government to engage in bilateral discussions aimed at resolving the decades old dispute surrounding Venezuela’s claim on two-thirds of Guyana’s landmass, and rebuilding a functional diplomatic relationship.

Following their initial meet with the United Nations (UN) General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon in New York in September, Granger and Maduro agreed to continue to engage in bilateral communication.

President Granger is yet to confirm his participation in the Summit whereas President Maduro has confirmed. According to media reports, Maduro said his visit to Saudi Arabia would be the ideal opportunity for him to “insist on the formula to set a strategy to defend the oil market.”

Maduro has claimed the United States of America is using the Guyana Government to destabilise his country through the operations of ExxonMobil in the disputed waters. The border controversy was only revived following the US-oil giant’s find of oil in the Stabroek offshore waters. Subsequent to their announcement of the lucrative find, Maduro issued a decree laying claims on Guyana’s land thus reviving the decades-old issue.

Meanwhile, the Fourth ASPA will bring together world leaders of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the Arab League. The aim of the forum is to ensure greater coordination between political leaders and civil society organisations in the Middle East and North Africa Region and South American countries. ASPA’s cooperation involves actions organised through five sectoral committees for economics, science and technology, environment, social, and cultural affairs.

Rescue rice market A Granger/Maduro meet at the upcoming Summit would be the ideal opportunity for Guyana to rescue the Venezuelan rice market.

Opposition Leader and former President Bharrat Jagdeo had urged President Granger to engage in talks with Maduro when they met in New York concerning the recent loss of the PetroCaribe deal. However, Granger insisted that his purpose was solely to address the Guyana/Venezuela issue.

Nevertheless, the possible meet in Saudi Arabia can provide another opportunity for the two leaders to reopen negotiations. Amid the border controversy, Jagdeo had noted that Guyana can aggressively pursue the integrity and sovereignty of its borders, whilst at the same time, maintain an open channel for dialogue, trade flows and functional cooperation between its neighbours.