MOSCOW. Dec 21 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has spoken in favor of resolving the Venezuela-Guyana territorial dispute by political and diplomatic means in a phone conversation with his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro, the Kremlin press service said on Thursday.
"Maduro briefed [Putin] on the talks with the Guyanese president on the situation around the Esequibo region. Vladimir Putin called for the Venezuelan-Guyanese territorial dispute to be resolved by political and diplomatic means," the statement said.
The two presidents discussed "current issues in Russian-Venezuelan cooperation on energy, trade and investment, [and in the] cultural and humanitarian spheres" in the phone conversation, the press service said. "Russia will continue to support the Venezuelan leadership's efforts to strengthen the national economy and sovereignty," it said.
"The similarity of approaches to building a just multipolar world order [and] the non-acceptance of illegal sanctions and interference in the internal affairs of countries were underlined during the exchange of views on the international agenda," the Kremlin said.
On December 3, a referendum was held in which Venezuelan citizens voted in favor of Esequibo joining their country. Following this, Guyana began to prepare for Venezuela's possible invasion.
On December 15, it was reported that Guyana and Venezuela had agreed during talks on the territorial dispute over Esequibo that neither country would threaten or use force against the other under any circumstances.
"Guyana and Venezuela, directly or indirectly, will not threaten or use force against one another in any circumstances, including those consequential to any existing controversies between the two States," it was reported, citing a joint statement issued following meetings between Guyanese President Irfaan Ali and Venezuelan President Maduro in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
It is noted that the parties also agreed to continue their dialogue.
"Both States agreed to meet again in Brazil, within the next three months, or at another agreed time, to consider any matter with implications for the territory in dispute," the document said.
The leaders also agreed to set up a joint commission comprising the two countries' foreign ministers and technical experts to resolve the issues around Esequibo.