Statement by the Spokesperson on the International Court of Justice referendum held in Belize

On 8 May Belize held a referendum on whether the Guatemalan-Belizean territorial dispute should be submitted to the International Court of Justice for final settlement.

The European Union has consistently supported a peaceful and mutually agreeable solution, both politically and financially.

As Guatemala also did previously, the Belizean government asked the citizens to express their will in a free and democratic way and decided to refer the case to international arbitration by the International Court of Justice.

The results of the referendum are a crucial step towards the peaceful resolution of the long lasting border dispute.

Belize’s and Guatemala’s choice of a referendum to define the path for the settlement of this dispute supports continued and close cooperation between both countries