Venezuelan President Delcy Rodríguez arrived in Suriname with a delegation on Thursday, September 10. Her visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and making concrete agreements on cooperation in the economic, political and diplomatic fields.
Rodríguez was welcomed at Johan Adolf Pengel International Airport. According to Minister Melvin Bouva of Buitenlandse Zaken, Internationale Handel en Samenwerking (BIS, Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation), the visit marks the first personal meeting between President Jennifer Simons and her Venezuelan counterpart.
During their consultations, the heads of state will discuss existing cooperation and opportunities to further expand it. Agriculture, fisheries, oil and gas, tourism, connectivity and capacity building are among the main items on the agenda.
Political and diplomatic cooperation within regional and international organisations will also be addressed. According to Bouva, the visit should not lead only to talks. Several agreements are expected to be signed and formalised.
Emphasis on cooperation with neighbouring countries
According to the minister, the rapprochement with Venezuela fits within the foreign policy of the Simons/Rusland government. The focus is on strengthening ties with neighbouring countries and other states in the region.
Bouva describes Venezuela as a strategic partner with which Suriname has maintained good relations for many years. The government wants to broaden and deepen this cooperation. According to him, this could not only strengthen the bilateral relationship, but also contribute to Suriname’s position within the region and in international forums.
More regional trade needed
According to Bouva, trade opportunities between Suriname and Venezuela are currently still insufficiently utilised. Suriname should, he said, make greater use of nearby markets. This requires better connections, clear trade agreements and cooperation between companies from both countries.
The government is also exploring opportunities for more intensive cooperation with Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, Colombia and the countries within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). Products and services that Suriname currently obtains from more distant countries could possibly also come from the region. At the same time, Suriname can sell more of its own products on regional markets.
Concrete benefits for society
Bouva points out that Suriname and Venezuela can strengthen each other in various areas. Suriname has, among other things, fertile land, biodiversity and opportunities in agriculture and tourism. The development of the oil and gas sector can also play an important role.
Education and public health are also regarded as sectors in which cooperation is possible. During the visit, the government wants to discuss concrete projects that should yield benefits for Surinamese society and the region.
With the visit, both countries want to reaffirm their existing friendly relations and take a next step in further economic, political and diplomatic cooperation.
