Guyana-Suriname Cooperation Council to be resuscitated
Presidents David Granger and Desiré Delano Bouterse addressing journalists at the Guyana Marriott on Friday
Presidents David Granger and Desiré Delano Bouterse addressing journalists at the Guyana Marriott on Friday

DURING a high-level meeting between President David Granger and Suriname President Desiré Delano Bouterse at the Guyana Marriott Hotel on Friday, it was agreed that a special envoy should be appointed to accelerate the process by which agreements are implemented, and that the Guyana-Suriname Cooperation Council should be resuscitated.At a joint press conference, President Bouterse explained that when he had met with President Granger on July 1 in Nieuw Nickerie, Suriname, they had concluded with a joint communiqué identifying 10 areas of mutual interest to be developed, but several months after, progress made thus far is unsatisfactory. As such, the Presidents have agreed to put a structural mechanism in place that would be results-based, allowing for the implementation of agreements within specified timeframes.

“We have created a mechanism in which the different issues that will be brought up, or have been brought up per sector, can be discussed; and that these will be implemented and monitored within a certain timeframe, and then reported back,” President Bouterse said.

He said this mechanism allows for a special envoy to report directly to both Presidents.

Weighing in on the issue, President Granger said: “We have embarked on a series of engagements, and today we took decisions that will not only expedite matters that were taken in previous years, but, more importantly, planned for the future. We are particularly concerned with the economic integration of our two states and the removal of any obstacles to that process of integration.”

He explained that the basic structure is based on the resuscitation of the Guyana-Suriname Cooperation Council.
Pointing out that the special envoy has not yet been appointed, the Guyanese President noted that both countries must first agree on the terms of reference.

“…the envoy can do what is called shuttle diplomacy between the two capitals, so anytime there is a bottle neck, we are confident that it would be cleared up much more quickly,” President Granger said.

For Guyana, the hassle-free movement of minibus operators and access to Surinamese airports by Guyanese airlines remain economic blockages for the country and its people. As such, President Granger said, discussions were also based on the functioning of the Canawaima ferry and the livelihood of persons who cross the Corentyne River on a regular basis, particularly minibus operators.

Already, the Surinamese President has agreed to return to Suriname with the aim of finding solutions to a number of minor issues affecting Guyanese in Suriname.

“…our delegation has promised to go back and find solutions to those small problems,” President Bouterse said.

Asked about the construction of a bridge across the Corentyne River to link the two countries, President Bouterse said that China has shown an interest in paying for the construction of the bridge. However, a feasibility study on the project and the project area has not been completed.

He said Brazil and the European Union have also shown an interest in the construction of the bridge, but there must first be consensus on the location for the construction.

According to a joint communiqué issued upon conclusion of the high-level meeting, the Guyanese and Surinamese Heads of Government held substantive and fruitful discussions on other issues of common interest at the bilateral, regional and international levels.

“Desirous of further strengthening cooperation activities between the two countries, the two Heads directed that Guyana-Suriname Cooperation Council be resuscitated, and that their respective technical officials meet to discuss issues in relation to the protection of the environment, agriculture, trade, tourism, investment and cross-border activities through their respective committees,” the joint communiqué stated.

President Bouterse arrived in Guyana on Friday morning at the Eugene F. Correia International Airport, with his delegation which included his Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Niermala Badrising, and several other high-level officials. He was accorded the ceremonial Guard of Honour mounted by the Guyana Defence Force upon his arrival.

The Guyanese delegation, led by President Granger, included Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Greenidge; Minister of State, Joseph Harmon; Minister of Legal Affairs, Basil Williams; Minister of Public Security, Khemraj Ramjattan; Minister of Public Telecommunications, Catherine Hughes; and Director General in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Audrey Waddell, all of whom were part of a plenary session with the visiting party.

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