Suriname commits to forging closer ties with Guyana
President Irfaan Ali and First Lady, Arya Ali, greet Suriname’s President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi and Mrs. Santokhi (Delano Williams photo)
President Irfaan Ali and First Lady, Arya Ali, greet Suriname’s President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi and Mrs. Santokhi (Delano Williams photo)

By Navendra Seoraj

THE future seems bright for Guyana’s relationship with its territorial neighbour to the East, Suriname, as the country’s newly-elected President, Chandrikapersad Santokhi, has committed to strengthening the bond between the two nations.

Guyana and Suriname, over the past few years, seemed to be siblings in a race, as both countries have inherited lucrative oil reserves and, most recently, experienced regime changes.
As reported in the international media, Santokhi was elected the new President of Suriname, replacing former military strongman, Desi Bouterse, whose National Democratic Party (NDP) lost its majority in the Parliament in the May 25 general election. The 61-year-old Santokhi is a former justice minister of Suriname.

Similar to what obtained in Suriname, the then opposition, People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) of Guyana, managed to unseat the A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change (APNU+AFC) coalition, after a protracted electoral process which started on March 2, 2020.

Guyana’s electoral process concluded just last Sunday, with the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM) declaring the PPP/C winner of the elections. And, as a result, the party’s Presidential Candidate, Dr. Irfaan Ali, was sworn in as the ninth Executive President of Guyana.

“We would like to congratulate the newly elected President and congratulate the people of Guyana,” said President Santokhi in an invited comment on the sidelines of President Ali’s Inauguration Ceremony.

Santokhi, who was a special guest at the inauguration ceremony, told this publication that Suriname stands committed to strengthening its friendship with Guyana and examining what is needed between the two countries.

“The two presidents also have a responsibility to bring prosperity for both nations and both peoples…we have expressed commitment today that we will do everything to have good co-operation, good friendship and to bring development for both nations,” said President Santokhi.

In an earlier address on Saturday, President Ali said he looks forward to working closely with Santokhi, in the interest of the two nations and the people of the wider Caribbean Community.

President Ali, in his speech, also recalled that it was the PPP/C Government that secured the maritime border with Suriname under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 2007.

“We settled that border which has already opened the doors to offshore oil and gas development for both countries,” said Guyana’s President.
Only last year, the Guyana Chronicle reported that Guyana and Suriname had agreed to consolidate their bilateral relations in the areas of trade and investment, culture and the environment, when His Excellency, Ebu Rohno Jones, presented his Letters of Credence to former President, David Granger as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Suriname to Guyana.
With Guyana and Suriname forming part of the Guiana Shield – one of the world’s largest blocks of tropical forest – the Head of State said the Environmental Cooperation between the two countries could become a model for the protection and sustainable management of their forests and biodiversity.
Ambassador Jones, in his remarks, said collaboration between Guyana and Suriname entered into a new phase in 2010, when former President, Desiré Delano’ Bouterse, entered into office.

“It is worth mentioning that the first foreign visit of President Bouterse, shortly after taking office, was made to the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. It is also of crucial importance to highlight, that the bilateral meetings between the two Heads of State, resulted in the revitalisation of the Cooperation Council consisting of representatives from both countries,” the Suriname Ambassador recounted.

He said the Suriname Government acknowledges the potential of both countries and will continue to work closely with Guyana.
“The cooperation between our countries, given the diverse and regional nature of it, is of strategic importance for the development objectives of our nations. The Government of Suriname believes that the main focus of cooperation should be placed on achieving sustainability in the pursuit of development for our countries and peoples,” Ambassador Jones said.
He underscored the importance of maintaining an atmosphere of peace, togetherness and friendship. He noted that the countries’ common interest should be the driving force to further intensify their relationship based on mutual respect, understanding, cooperation, good neighbourliness and mutual benefits.

With Suriname having 40 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, he said that country is willing to share its knowledge with Guyana and, if necessary, to support the further development thereof.

He had also said Suriname is more than ready to deepen the cultural relationship the two countries share, and to intensify economic trading activities.

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