After not meeting for over a decade, the Guyana-Suri-name Cooperation Council convened yesterday in a bid to deepen, widen and consolidate the bonds of friendship between the two countries.
Speaking at the opening of the meeting in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ conference room, Minister of Foreign Affairs Carl Greenidge related to a table of representatives from Suriname,
the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Public Health and the Ministry of Public Security that while the council has not been convened for over 10 years, it hasn’t prevented the two countries from cooperating on matters of mutual interest but has led to a reduction in the intensity and scope of their collaboration.
“The meetings of the Cooperation Council in the past would’ve provided visions, goals, aims and objectives for the achievement and enhancement of the kind of relations between the two neighbouring countries that are desirable,” he said. Over the years, the council was supported by its technical expert and ad hoc groups, which in turn helped sharpen and broaden the focus of cooperation activities between Guyana and Suriname.
Greenidge explained that the two heads of the respective countries recognized the key role the council played in the past and as such have underscored the positive prospective advantages of having it play an integral role in providing closer cooperation and integration between the two countries. He charged those in attendance to ensure that the council creates the conditions for and to establish the means by which the prospective advantages can be realized in the shortest possible time.
“Guyana and Suriname have proved over the years that whilst we are neighbours it is even more valuable to be good friends. Good friends combine to share knowledge and resources,” he said, while pointing out that the two countries can join their singular strength for their mutual advantage and use their different abilities and skill sets to advance their causes.
“These are sentiments that must become the values in the relations between Guyana and Suriname if we are to take advantage of the symmetries and indeed the differences in our economies, technological and natural resources, education, security and the general socioeconomic realities. We must recognize that whilst we singularly lack the ability, for example to be complete food baskets on our own, we can together achieve that goal without any difficulty,” Greenidge emphasized, while noting while it will take a lot of sacrifice hard work, the benefits will eliminate the risk associated with trying to do it individually.
Also speaking at the meeting, Head of the Surinamese Delegation John Kolader expressed his gratitude at having the commission convened. Kolader, who is a former Surinamese Ambassador to Guyana, said, “I think it is a very crucial instrument for promoting the friendship, cementing the friendship between the two countries.” He said he hopes the commission does not only monitor the cooperation between the two countries but also helps develop and foster deeper ties.
“We are convinced that there is an urgent need to cooperate, strengthen and join efforts to bring the countries closer and closer to each other,” he said, while pointing out that it is a logical avenue since the two countries are adjacent to each other and have similar history, cultural backgrounds and potential.
“Living up to the mandate of the two heads of state we are here to carry out the noble task to monitor and coordinate, provide guidance and to accelerate efforts. The body is not just going to see what the several agencies are doing but will also give guidance in the efforts,” he added, while adding that work must also be done to prevent disturbances in their relations otherwise they would have major setbacks.
“We will leave no stone unturned to accelerate cooperation. We intend to work very intensively with the representatives from the different sectors to ensure that the council is not dormant but effective and lively,” he said.
