…as new Surinamese Ambassador to Guyana accredited

GUYANA and Suriname 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 President David Granger as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Suriname to Guyana.

The new Surinamese Ambassador presented his Letters of Credence to President Granger during a simple ceremony at the Ministry of the Presidency on Wednesday, in the presence of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Karen Cummings and Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Audrey Jardine-Waddell.

Moments after receiving Ambassador Jones’ credentials, President Granger said Guyana and Suriname have collaborated in the fields of agriculture, culture, environment, fisheries, forestry, health, mining, security, trade and transportation, and his country remains open to enhancing collaboration.

“Guyana looks forward to working with Suriname within the ambit of the Caribbean Community and the Guyana-Suriname Cooperation Council to continue to improve trade, to intensify cultural, economic, environmental and social cooperation and to combat transnational threats,” President Granger said.

Guyana, he said, is moving towards the establishment of a ‘green’ state. As such, the country continues to place major emphasis on the protection of the environment, the preservation of the country’s biodiversity, the promotion of renewable energy and the adoption of practical measures to ensure adaptation to climate change.
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.

Additionally, President Granger said Guyana remains committed to ensuring that the Caribbean and the South American continent remains a zone of peace. “Peace in our Region could be endangered by transnational threats such as trafficking in illegal weapons, narcotics and people, illegal migration, money laundering, environmental hazards and territorial controversies,” he pointed out.

Ambassador Jones, in his remarks, said collaboration between Guyana and Suriname entered into a new phase in 2010, when his 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.

Like President Granger, 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.

“In light of cooperation for the realisation of sustainable development of our countries, the administration, under the Leadership of H.E. Desiré Delano Bouterse, is convinced that there is even more potential for cooperation in the sustainable use of our natural resources, as well as exploring the environmental, tourism and agricultural opportunities both countries have to offer,” Ambassador Jones explained.

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 said Suriname is more than ready to deepen the cultural relationship the two countries share, and to intensify economic trading activities. “With reference to cultural integration, there is a large group of Guyanese Diaspora living for decades in Suriname and is contributing to the economic development. On the other hand, many Surinamese have family ties with Guyana and cross-border travel between both countries is increasing substantially,” he pointed out.

“The border issue is one of the important challenges, where we as sovereign nations should find a sustainable solution for,” the Suriname Ambassador added. Guyana established formal diplomatic relations with Suriname on its attainment of Independence on November 25, 1975.