St. George’s, May 26, 2010 (GIS) – Grenada is reported to have contacted Venezuela with the intention of opening maritime delimitation talks with the oil-rich South American Republic.

A month ago, Grenada signed and ratified a maritime treaty with Trinidad and Tobago, another regional oil producer. Since then, Trinidad has had a new government with the People’s Partnership coalition, led by lawyer Kamla Persad-Bissessar, replacing the People’s National Movement of former Prime Minister Patrick Manning.

Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas and his Foreign Minister, Peter David, both expect the continuation of the traditional cordial relations between Grenada and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. They emphasize that the government change in Trinidad will not affect the maritime treaty.

“We have no fears or worries about this,’’ Prime Minister Thomas told the Government Information Service. “Whatever we are doing in the National Democratic Congress, under my leadership, is transparent and above board.’’

The Prime Minister noted that the maritime negotiations, by Grenadian and Trinidadian members of the Joint Boundary Commission, were conducted over a one-year period, long before the general elections that were held in Trinidad on May 24.

“Those negotiations took place at a time when there was no electioneering in Trinidad and Tobago,’’ Mr. Thomas said. “The signing, on April 21, was more of a formality. We did what ought to have been done. So, there is absolutely nothing to worry about.’’

Foreign Minister David added that it is “unfortunate’’ that some local politicians, opposed to the maritime agreement, would choose to tell Grenadians “that a new government can come in and just throw out a treaty.’’

He explained that the Grenada-Trinidad treaty is an agreement between states and not governments.

“This agreement that we’ve signed with Trinidad and Tobago has been ratified. It was signed and sealed,’’ said Mr. David. “The treaty is not signed between governments; the treaty is signed between two states. We have no fear of anything happening. All the talk about a new government will throw out the treaty is just politics. There are times when we should set politics aside and look at the national interest, and that is what we will be doing going forward.’’

Mr. David, like Prime Minister Thomas, congratulated Mrs. Persad-Bissessar on her election victory, and on becoming the first female Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

They also paid tribute to former Prime Minister Manning, whom Mr. Thomas described as a “regionalist,’’ who is highly committed to regional integration.

“I want to wish him well in whichever way he chooses to serve Trinidad and Tobago and the region. He has always taken a stand in the interest of regional unity and tried to promote integration of the region,’’ said Prime Minister Thomas, who is also Leader of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Mr. David, General Secretary of the NDC, said the party extends “best wishes to former Prime Minister Manning and wants to wish him and his entire team well.’’

He said he is confident that Grenada-Trinidad relations “will continue along the path that all previous Trinidad governments have done, dating back to Eric Williams. All governments thereafter have had excellent relationship with the government of Grenada and the people of this country.’’

Mr. David said that one of the areas of focus of the Grenada government is working with Trinidad and Tobago on now implementing the maritime treaty.

“The relations with Trinidad and Tobago are not based on governments; it’s based on people,’’ Foreign Minister David stressed.

“We have a deep historic links. I called the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Trinidad this morning and was pleased to know that the person who answered the phone was of Grenadian parentage, and that permeates Trinidad and Tobago. So the relations we have with Trinidad and Tobago are one that transcends governments.’’

Another important step will be taken in the near future with plans for the commencement of maritime discussions with Venezuela, said Mr. David.

“The fact is,’’ he said, “that we have as much territory to delimit, and some people believe more lucrative territory to delimit, with Venezuela. We have made contact with Venezuela and we hope we can get that going very soon. We expect that we can move forward in a quick manner, given the fact that we have done it with Trinidad and Tobago.’’

Additionally, said Mr. David, an examination is being conducted on putting mechanism in place to govern and manage Grenada’s ocean resources.

“It’s not only oil. Everybody is excited about potential oil and gas resources,’’ Foreign Minister David said. “But we have fisheries and several other issues that we must address in relation to our maritime space.’’