As part of discussions during a four-day state visit to Suriname last week, Presidents Irfaan Ali and Chan Santokhi acknowledged the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the world and took note of the recent development of vaccines to prevent the contraction of the novel coronavirus.
“Both sides agreed that as soon as it is safe to do so, the border between the two countries will be opened, but that the health and safety of the general population of both States must take precedence over the reopening of the border,” a joint statement from the Heads of State explained.
Additionally, both Ali and Santokhi have pledged to work together with sympathetic states, governments, non-governmental organisations and multilateral institutions to ensure that developing countries and the poor have access to the vaccines.
They also called on the developed world to ensure that there are sufficient supplies to the developing world and the poor.
“It was agreed that both Suriname and Guyana will continue to work in solidarity to contain the spread of COVID-19,” the statement said.
Ali’s visit which coincided with the 45th Independence Anniversary of Suriname allowed for the advancing of ideas for a positive and effective framework for cooperative relations between Guyana and Suriname in the areas of foreign relations, public infrastructure and transport, health, the environment, oil and gas, education, agriculture, trade, security, tourism, culture, youth and sport and private sector initiatives.
Specifically a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate the joint construction of a bridge across the Corentyne River was signed as both presidents acknowledge the role such a bridge could play in advancing cooperation and joint activities and ventures in all the areas mentioned.
During the visit they received an update on the work being done by the technical working group to prepare the groundwork for the realization of the construction of the bridge and witnessed the signing of the Formation Agreement for Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation.
They reaffirmed their commitment to be personally engaged to ensure that the agreed areas of bilateral cooperation are implemented smoothly and effectively for the mutual benefit of their peoples.
During an Extraordinary Sitting of the National Assembly of the Republic of Suriname, Ali delivered a congratulatory message to the National Assembly, the Government and the People of Suriname from the Government and People of Guyana.
Ali saluted Suriname’s cultural diversity and the pride that the Surinamese people take in that diversity. He underscored that in today’s world there is a growing interest in the dangerous heightening of differences amongst nationalities and ethnic communities which are threats to the maintenance of both international peace and security and unity at the national level.
Ali was accompanied by Hugh Todd, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Inter-national Cooperation; Anil Nandlall, Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs; Juan Edghill, Minister of Public Works; and Zulfikar Mustapha, Minister of Agriculture.
Santokhi was accompanied during discussions by the Vice President, Ronnie Brunswijk and Albert Ramdin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Business and Cooperation; Riad Nurmohamed, Minister of Public Works and Communication; Parmanand Sewdien Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Husbandry and Kenneth Amoksi, Minister of Justice and Police.
