His Excellency Desiré Delano Bouterse, President of the Republic of Suriname, paid a one day Working Visit to Guyana on September 6, 2010 at the invitation of His Excellency Bharrat Jagdeo, President of the Republic of Guyana.
2.         The two Heads of State met at the Office of the President where they discussed several matters of mutual interest to Guyana and Suriname.  The Presidents exchanged ideas on ways and means of advancing their shared vision of closer relations and cooperation between Guyana and Suriname.  They agreed to concentrate on building on areas that would bring the two countries closer together.
3.         They both underscored the tremendous impetus that a bridge across the Corentyne River would provide to increasing trade and economic relations as well as fostering even greater people-to-people contact which they agreed are indispensable to deepening the relations between their two countries.
4.         Both Leaders agreed that no effort should be spared in taking full advantage of the opportunities for technical cooperation between their two States and noted that the symmetries in the path to economic and social development in Guyana and Suriname make such cooperation both advantageous and economical. Special note was taken of the fact that both Guyana and Suriname are keen to advance the search for and exploitation of hydrocarbon resources in order to advance their economic development and efforts aimed at meeting their respective energy needs. The two Presidents agreed that there is great potential for intensified cooperation and the sharing of knowledge and know-how in the fields of mining and other natural resources.
5.         The Heads of State exchanged views on the pressing global issue of climate change and responses at their respective national levels and at the regional level to combat this growing phenomenon.  President Bharrat Jagdeo briefed President Bouterse on Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and the successes achieved in its implementation. The role of the forestry and mining sectors in the LCDS was highlighted by Guyana’s Head of State. President Jagdeo offered Guyana’s technical and expert support to the Republic of Suriname should President Bouterse be desirous of implementing a similar strategy or programme.
6.         Both Heads of State underscored the critical role that Guyana and Suriname could play in addressing food security within the Caribbean Community.  They agreed that there is much scope for cooperation in the agricultural sector and agreed that there should be an early meeting of the principals responsible for policy and research in this sector so that a strategy could be developed for advancing cooperation in all the possible areas of mutual interest in the field of agriculture.
7.         The Presidents underscored the importance of an efficient information communication sector and expressed great satisfaction at the cooperation between the telecommunications entities in Guyana and Suriname which has led directly to an increase in access to the information super-highway.  They noted that such investments and cooperation are critical to national development.  The two Presidents pledged to lend their full support to similar future initiatives.
8.         The two Presidents discussed the critical importance of education to overall economic, social and cultural development.  They agreed that there should be greater cooperation between the University of Guyana and the Anton de Kom University of Suriname in the pursuit of teacher and student exchanges in order to take full advantage of strengths that might be available in one or the other tertiary institution and not fully developed in the other.
9.         Both Presidents agreed that as neighbouring States, it is absolutely necessary for closer cooperation and coordination between the law enforcement agencies of their two countries if their respective policies, strategies and programmes aimed at combating crime and threats to public security are to be successful.  They therefore agreed to lend their full support to the ongoing cooperation and consultations between the respective Ministers responsible for public security.
10.       The Presidents agreed that the two countries would enhance their bilateral cooperation in the area of health.
11.       The Heads of State expressed confidence that cooperation in the areas highlighted would serve to advance the relations between their two countries and peoples to an altogether new level of closeness and mutual understanding.  They therefore agreed that officials should meet as soon as possible to discuss and formulate proposals for a practical programme of cooperation in the various fields.
12.       Both Presidents agreed to put in place a new mechanism geared towards the efficient and effective implementation of mutually agreed policies in the various areas of cooperation.  This mechanism would fall directly under their respective Offices.
13.       The Presidents of Guyana and Suriname discussed recent developments within the Caribbean Community and reiterated their sterling commitment to the achievement of the goals and objectives of the integration movement.  They exchanged views on the implementation of the Caribbean Single Market and Economy and agreed that wherever possible, as the only two contiguous States within the Community, Guyana and Suriname will endeavour to hasten the implementation of the CSME commitments between themselves.
14.       Both Heads of State praised the cardinal role which the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) can play in cementing peace, cooperation and integration for development on the South American continent and agreed to continue to play an active role in that body.
15.       President Jagdeo and President Bouterse noted that infrastructure integration with the rest of South America is key to hastening the development process within their countries.  They noted that because Guyana and Suriname are members of the Caribbean Community, the economic benefits that are derived from integration with the other States of South America will also redound to the benefit of the other member States of the Caribbean Community.
16.       Both Presidents expressed satisfaction with their dialogue and agreed that this first meeting was indeed fruitful and laid the groundwork for the deepening of the relations between the two administrations.  They agreed to maintain an open channel of communication between them to preserve the momentum of this engagement.
17.       His Excellency President Desire Delano Bouterse thanked His Excellency President Bharrat Jagdeo for the hospitality extended to him and his delegation.

Georgetown, September 6, 2010.