PRESIDENT Irfaan Ali departed Guyana on Monday for an official three-day visit to the Republic of Suriname, the Office of the President has announced.

This is the President’s first State visit since he was sworn in on August 2, 2020.
The Head of State will engage in discussions with President Chandrikapersad Santokhi to build on the issues advanced during the latter’s visit to Guyana last August, the President’s office noted.

The two leaders are expected to finalise agreements to advance the proposal for the construction of the Corentyne River bridge, and establish a new mechanism for enhanced dialogue and cooperation.

“The Republic of Suriname will celebrate the 45th Anniversary of its Independence on November 25. An Extraordinary Session of the National Assembly will be convened, at which time President Ali will deliver a congratulatory message,” the release from Office of the President noted.
The President is accompanied by a high-level delegation, the members of which will also be engaging in discussions in several other areas of cooperation.

According to the release, President Ali said that both nations share “similar challenges, circumstances and opportunities, and as such, it is very critical and important for us to work together to find common solutions, to collaborate, and to support each other in tackling the challenges while at the same time confront the opportunities for the people of both countries will benefit from.”

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