PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo and his Suriname counterpart Ronald Venetiaan have approved a wide range of areas for cooperation at several levels between their two countries.
In a joint communique they signed at the end of a two-day State visit by Mr. Jagdeo to the neighbouring former Dutch republic, the two leaders welcomed the "recent positive developments in the bilateral relations" between their two countries and said the momentum reached in cooperation efforts "must be preserved and maximised for the benefit of the people of both countries."
The communique said that at the request of President Jagdeo, the issue of joint exploration of oil resources was discussed and the two presidents have asked that the Border Commissions of the two countries "look at best practices and modalities that could assist the government in the taking of a decision regarding an eventual joint exploration."
"It was agreed that a sub-committee of the Joint Suriname and Guyana Border Commission should be established to address this issue and to report to this commission before its meeting in May", the two presidents said.
They reaffirmed that the border issues "should be resolved in a spirit of understanding, cooperation and good neighbourliness."
They also endorsed the work of the Cooperation Council which met in Suriname earlier this month and conducted a comprehensive examination of all areas of cooperation, and identified for early action those that have the potential for easy implementation.
They acknowledged the burden of drug trafficking and drug related crimes on their societies and said that to address the scourge and other criminal threats, they endorsed establishment of a joint security programme and working ground on trans-boundary crimes.
"The Presidents encouraged the drafting of a mutual legal agreement and a maritime law enforcement agreement as well as cooperation programmes between law enforcement officers and the publication of immigration requirements of both countries", the document said.
They agreed that consideration would be given to designate the Ogle Airport, East Coast Demerara, as a point of entry for small aircraft from Guyana.
In the context of the infrastructure integration initiative for South America, the presidents endorsed the decisions to initiate discussions on the development of a transport network to link with those of Brazil and Venezuela.
On communication and signal interference, the Heads of Government stressed that the Frequency Management authorities should meet and discuss collaboration in the area of frequency management.
Considering that Suriname and Guyana are eco-tourism destinations within the region, they underscored and reaffirmed areas of cooperation decided by the Cooperation Council.
These include:
** joint promotion of eco-tourism at international fairs;
** development of joint eco-tourism products (nature and heritage tourism);
** the establishment of linkages between environmental and tourism institutions;
** revival of the Guianas Trail Project;
** sharing experiences on marketing eco-tourism within CARICOM, and that
** the private sector has an important role to play in the enhancement of cooperation in the area of sustainable tourism.
Noting the challenges to the rice market and the potential of their countries, the presidents pointed to the plans for cooperation in agriculture and stressed the need for a joint approach to improve competitiveness in the rice sector.
They decided that the Ministers of Agriculture of the two countries should monitor the work of the technical group with regard to rice.
The Cooperation Council had agreed that Guyana and Suriname should:
** continue to enhance the exchange programmes between the respective rice farmers and exporters.
** Facilitate greater exchange of ideas and contact aimed at developing strategies for maintaining sufficient access to the market of the European Union (EU) for rice; joint tendering for access to the quotas for rice in the EU market; maximising access to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) market for rice; and to share information on best practices for greater efficiencies in the sector.
** Collaborate to ensure that the proposed regional study on the rice industry does not become a substitute for the study of a National Strategic Investment Plan for the rice sector. Both studies were agreed on between the Caribbean Forum of the ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific group) and the EU.
Mr. Jagdeo and Mr. Venetiaan agreed that possibilities for cooperation in other areas such as horticulture should be considered.
They also stressed the need to establish an expert group to discuss matters in the fields of sustainable utilisation of marine resources and that the possibility should be explored to increase the issuance of licences and the reduction of fees for these licences.
They agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, studies to attract investments, establishment of joint ventures and linkages between the private sectors of the two countries.
In the context of increasing collaboration in cross border trade, the leaders placed special emphasis on meetings of the customs and immigration officials.
"In this regard, the presidents noted the process of the free movement of goods and people within the framework of CARICOM (Caribbean Community) and expressed the view that efforts should be made as neighbours to proceed ahead of the CARICOM implementation schedule", the communique said.
Recognising the threats posed to the wellbeing of the people of both countries, in particular the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the leaders urged the early reconvening of meetings of the Border Health Committee.
Addressing a special sitting of the Suriname National Assembly yesterday, President Jagdeo said he had gone to that country to explore with President Venetiaan "the numerous possibilities and opportunities for strengthening the relations between our two countries for the benefit of both the people of Suriname and my country."
MESSAGE OF PEACE
He said the message "that I bring from the Guyanese people is one of peace and cooperation. It is a call for us to join in a spirit of brotherhood and cooperation to advance the welfare of our citizens."
"...our peoples have over many decades led the way. They have forged human relationships, and constructed elaborate systems of interaction. Our people have shown us that the colonial condition that once deliberately divided and separated us is surmountable", he said.
They have proven that language is a bridge to be crossed rather than a barrier to be feared, he said, adding, "I believe that in their simple, but effective way our people have led the way. And now their Governments must follow."
He urged that understanding global changes "is an imperative that we cannot and must not ignore; and it is a responsibility we dare not surrender."
"We have long abandoned the doctrine of insularity, which today is neither possible nor practicable in a globalised environment. In this regard, today, borders are not barriers that are capable of insulating any people from the effects and influences of their neighbours."
"It is true that borders are important in legal and geographic terms, but they are also gateways to communication between peoples", Mr. Jagdeo added.
He said that today, in every place, and in all spheres of human endeavour nations and peoples are abandoning old and historical conflicts.
"They are setting aside past differences and difficulties. They are retiring old grudges. People and nations are realising the futility of confrontation and consequently they are embracing co-operation.
"Consider that today former sworn enemies are now bosom friends conspiring to achieve their common objectives. Past ideological antagonists are now forging solid partnerships in the march toward prosperity for their people", he noted.
He said that while other states and neighbours have made impressive and enviable progress in cooperation, "we have recorded modest gains."
"And this is not because we are less endowed with human and natural resources. Our two countries possess substantial material endowments and our people are making seminal contributions in Science, the Arts and the Humanities from their adopted homes all around the globe. They are managing major enterprises abroad, and contributing in no small measure to the technological advancement of society."
Advocating rapid deepening of co-operation between the two countries, he said there are remarkable similarities between Suriname and Guyana.
"Situated, as we are on the Guiana Shield in close proximity to one another, we share the same geographical attributes and resources and I believe, the same aspirations for a better life for our people.
"Our proximity to each other dictates cooperation and collaboration. We cannot ignore one another. There is more than history and geography. It would appear that our futures are interwoven and our destinies are intertwined if not interlocked."
President Jagdeo said it is vital that Suriname and Guyana devise and utilise opportunities for cooperation and collaboration.
"The path to peace and development may not find favour with everyone because of various reasons. We must convince those who fear cooperation merely because they are set in old ways or harbour old suspicions.
"Others may resist collaboration between our two countries because it is an unexplored option. We have a duty to openly discuss and debate these issues. I believe it is time for all of us to give cooperation and collaboration between our two countries a chance to succeed.
"I am sure that within this esteemed House, where the question will undoubtedly be debated, the wisdom of both sides will be brought to bear on the issue.
"I am sure that the dividends of peace, cooperation and collaboration, in a renewed atmosphere of mutual trust and respect, will be significant. There would be no limits to the benefits that could be derived.
"In the past we may have missed some opportunities for this collaboration, and we are poorer for this", the President said.
SPECIAL PROSPECTS
He added: "In addition to our being permanent neighbours with mutual interests that impel us to closer cooperation, our countries are part of the CARICOM family - a community now seized with the urgency to create a Common Single Market and Economy. It is true that the process has moved slowly but it is a necessary quantum leap from the terms and scope of the founding Treaty."
He said the revised Treaty of Chaguaramas holds special prospects for the two countries.
"It will permit integration of economic activities, the free movement of financial capital, a commitment to forge a common industrial policy, and allow the free movement of skilled people within CARICOM. Guyana and Suriname, in the context of the revised Treaty and in the spirit of the Community, should forge ahead with the early implementation of the Protocols accelerating the integration between the two countries", he proposed.
He said that as region, "we must remain committed to the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)."
"However, we must strongly advocate not only for special and differentiated treatment, but also for a Regional Development Fund to help us in the structural transformation of our economies. If we do not succeed in this, we run the risk of being further marginalised as a region and as individual countries."
He told the Suriname National Assembly that the cooperation Guyana seeks at the bilateral level, "is not intended to cause any economic or any other disadvantage to Suriname."
"It is founded rather on the principles of fairness and mutual advantage. In fact, it is an economic fact that strategic alliances and the pursuit of joint economic endeavours rather than reducing the benefits of partners expand the share of each.
"To take the example of agriculture and industry, there can be no doubt that our common geographic attributes offer us clear and rich possibilities for joint development. Straddling as we do the Amazonian and Caribbean basins, we are blessed with lush forests and magnificent rivers that not only flourish our global environment but also hold precious resources for our development.
"However, in harvesting these riches, we must be careful to avoid environmental abuse and to guarantee the preservation of our abundant bio-diversity. To this end, we have a common interest in protecting our coastlines, our forests, particularly our designated reserve areas, and our wildlife, as well as in adopting a common policy on related environmental issues on the international agenda.
"Similarly, since our fertile soil favours the cultivation of the same agricultural commodities such as rice and other tropical food corps, there is value in our exchange of ideas on ways and means of boosting production and of negotiating the best markets for our exports. This also applies to all our other natural resources such as fisheries and minerals."