GUYANA on Wednesday expressed gratitude to outgoing Surinamese Ambassador to Guyana, Mehroen Nisa Kurban-Baboe, for her service and work in advancing and strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations.

Kurban- Baboe paid a courtesy call to President David Granger and Foreign Affairs Minister, Carl Greenidge.

President Granger noted the work of the outgoing ambassador over the past four years and said the two countries have been able to resuscitate the Guyana-Suriname Cooperation Council with the aim of further strengthening cooperation between the neighbouring states.

The resuscitation of the Council was also geared at promoting investment opportunities, while exchanging culture. But though there has been much progress, the head-of-state believes more is yet to be achieved.

“It has been a successful tour. I am happy with your tenure. The important thing is that we have been able to preserve cordial relations. I am happy for the level of cooperation that exists and there is still more to be done. We need to strengthen the positive aspects of our relationship and we need to explore our strength in other areas,” President Granger told the Surinamese Ambassador.

In an invited comment, Ambassador Kurban-Baboe, agreed that much more work needs to be done between the two countries. She pointed specifically to the increase cross-sectoral cooperation between the two countries.

She said Suriname places great value on its bilateral ties with Guyana and will keep the channels open for cooperation and dialogue.

“It is important for us to have a good relationship with Guyana. We have a lot in common economically, in culture and tourism and we have to keep the doors open and speak to each other… We are border countries and I think we should move further to strengthen the relationship. Guyana is beautiful country. The people are beautiful and I must say that I have a very positive impression of Guyana and I know that with my country, we can do a lot,” Ambassador Kurban- Baboe stated.

Similarly, the sentiments of both President Granger and the outgoing Surinamese Ambassador were echoed by Minister Greenidge on Wednesday. He also stressed on the need to continue strengthening the relationship between the two countries.

The Foreign Minister said over the years, Guyana and Suriname enjoyed a high level of interface, which was further abetted by Ambassador Kurban-Baboe during her tenure.

“I hope to see the continuation of dialogue and the deepening of understanding between Guyana and Suriname,” Minister Greenidge remarked. Additionally, the foreign affairs minister pointed to the recent productive meetings between President Granger and Suriname’s President Dési Bouterse.

During those discussions, the two heads-of-state agreed that special envoys will be appointed to speak specifically to the Guyana, Suriname relations in the areas of the environment, agriculture, trade and tourism and oil and gas.

“The relationship has been fruitful and we are looking forward to another meeting of the Cooperation Council,” said Ambassador Kurban-Baboe, whose four years of service here has come to an end. She was accredited as Ambassador to Guyana in 2013.

Formal diplomatic relations between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Suriname were established on November 25, 1975.

The Surinamese government has not yet identified her successor.