Foreign Affairs Minister Albert Ramdin says that after 46 years of diplomatic relations between Suriname and the United States, it is time for a strategic partnership between both countries.
Speaking during a recent bilateral dialogue with a delegation from the United States, Ramdin said the talks were “useful” and were held at a time when global and regional developments are taking place.
In referring to the situation in Eastern Europe, which shows that Europe is heavily dependent on energy from Russia, he said the partnership is needed to reduce the risks to energy supply.
“Energy is critical in our future relationship with the US,” minister Ramdin argued.
Also attending the meeting were US Ambassador Karen Williams and US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Barbara Feinstein.
In her comments, Feinstein said the relationship between the US and Suriname “are closer than ever,” She also said that Washington is looking forward to deepening cooperation in the context of Suriname’s chairmanship of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) in a few weeks.
For her part, Williams called the bilateral dialogue an extraordinary opportunity to evaluate the cooperative relationship. The diplomat told reporters that representatives discussed the progress made in bilateral cooperation, including humanitarian aid, trade relations, exchange programs, security and judicial cooperation, as well as diplomatic engagement.
According to Williams, good progress has been made in implementing the work plan drawn up during last year’s bilateral dialogue. She mentioned the support that Washington has given Suriname in getting funds for its economic restructuring plan from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as well as vaccine donations from the US to Suriname.
“As for the next step, we are looking at deepening the bilateral dialogue process so that we will hold coordination meetings at technical level over the next year, so that what we have planned so far can even expand. We also look forward to President Santokhi attending the Summit of the Americas in a few weeks, which will give you more opportunity to talk about expanding the relationship,” said Ambassador Williams. The fact that Washington has sent two top officials to Suriname for the consultations emphasizes the importance that the American government attaches to the relationship with Suriname.
With regard to energy cooperation, the diplomat states that the US also wants to support Suriname.
“We are committed to our climate change objectives, and I know that Suriname is as well. So, I think in the context of -at least what the US government is concerned- in the context of the offshore oil and so forth US interest is in supporting Suriname in that mean that the endeavor is fruitful and productive for Suriname but at the same time respects the climate change challenges. There are other renewable energy opportunities out there as well and there are companies potentially in doing that and we will help them try to make connections with the private businesses, the Surinamese.
According to Ramdin – “We have a very good relationship with the US. It is not just a political relationship; it is an equal relationship in which we certainly benefit from the cooperation in different areas.” The minister mentions sectors such as education, health care and business. “We see many more American companies taking an interest in Suriname and there are so many other areas in which we can collaborate and work together.”
He said an overview of the areas of cooperation will be presented shortly, according to the minister and the ambassador.
CMC/
