Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community have expressed regret over attempts by Venezuela to constrain Guyana's development in the Essequibo region.

A communique issued at the conclusion of their 22nd Conference which was held in the Bahamas from 3 to 6 July stated that the leaders "supported the position taken by Guyana that the Geneva Agreement does not preclude it from fully exploiting all of its natural resources."

The Heads further reaffirmed their solidarity with Guyana in its determination to counter the threat posed to its sovereignty and territorial integrity as a result of Venezuela's non-acceptance of the 1899 Arbitral Award which they said had "definitively settled the border between the two countries."

At the same time, they welcomed the commitment of both countries to the good offices procedure established under the aegis of the United Nations Secretary-General and encouraged the two to avail themselves of this mechanism with a view to finding a peaceful settlement to the existing controversy.

Recent reports had indicated that Venezuela was trying to deter foreigners from investing in the Essequibo and that it had intentions to explore for hydrocarbons in an offshore area comprising part of Guyana's maritime zone.

In a similar issue involving another but more recent claim by the South American neighbouring country, CARICOM leaders also declared their support for the maritime integrity of the Eastern Caribbean states and rejected public statements made by Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez, regarding his country's assertion of sovereignty over Bird Island.

"Any future discussion on this issue must be conducted in accordance with applicable principles of international law," the Heads stressed while underlining the critical importance of the 1982 UN Law of the Sea Convention which they identified as the universal instrument representing the codification of international law of the sea.

They, therefore, called on all states to respect the rules and principles contained in the Convention.

Bird island is situated 353 miles off the north coast of Venezuela but is only 70 miles from Dominica.