See full statement from the Office of the President below:
His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has departed Guyana for an official visit to the Republic of Suriname over the period November 23 to 26, 2020.
The Head of State will engage in discussions with His Excellency President Chandrikapersad Santokhi to build on the issues advanced during the visit of President Santokhi to Guyana last August. 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 President will be accompanied by a high-level delegation who will also be engaging in discussions in several other areas of cooperation.
President Ali said that both nations share “similar challenges, circumstances and opportunities, 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.”
This is President Ali’s first oversees state visit since his inauguration.
Formal diplomatic relations between the Cooperative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Suriname were established on November 25, 1975.
