Suriname’s leader in Guyana today for working visit

Dec 16, 2016 News

President of Suriname, Desi Bouterse, is expected in Guyana today to discuss a number of issues, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced yesterday.

President David Granger, with Suriname’s leader, Desi Bouterse, during a visit in July to that neighbouring country.

The one day working visit will see Bouterse meeting with President David Granger. The two “are expected to discuss areas of mutual interest in an effort to deepen relations between the two countries,” a statement said yesterday.
At their last meeting, which was held in Nieuw Nickerie, Suriname on July 1, 2016, the Presidents had agreed to have a meeting to follow-up on their discussions, it was disclosed.
Last year, Granger visited Suriname with Bouterse explaining that because virtually all the attention of the government has gone to addressing national issues, foreign policy was somewhat neglected.
President Granger, who had joined him in a press conference to explain that one-day visit, disclosed that a commitment was made to meet again after he had visited Suriname last year August during the inauguration of President Bouterse.
Given the busy period around the elections and what then followed, the idea was to revive the friendship and to continue with the integration process, Granger explained.
He stressed that Suriname and Guyana with their combined resources represent a “powerful economic element” within CARICOM. Heads of Government are expected to meet from tomorrow in Guyana.
De Ware Tijd had quoted President Bouterse as stressing that there are opportunities to work more closely with Guyana as in the fields of agriculture and education and at the CARICOM level.
President Granger told reporters during the visit in July that the coming months will see a stronger commitment to address problems in these relations “in a free and friendly atmosphere”.
The two countries have been conducting brisk trade over the years with thousands of Guyanese living in Suriname.
There have been talks between the two countries to build a bridge across the Corentyne River.
However, there has also been a simmering border claim by Suriname for part of the Corentyne area.
The visiting delegation will also include: Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Niermala Badrising, Minister of Justice and Police, Ms. Jennifer Van Dijk-Silos, Advisor of State to the President of Suriname and Mr. Harvey H. Naarendorp. They will be joined by Suriname’s Ambassador to Guyana, Ambassador Mehroen N.Kurban-Baboe.
President Bouterse and his team are scheduled to arrive at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, at 8:00 hours. There, a Guard of Honour will be mounted by ranks of the Guyana Defence Force.

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