Guyana, Suriname agree to build bridge to link both countries

The Presidents of Guyana and Suriname ended talks in Guyana on Monday with an agreement to build a bridge across the Corentyne River linking the two countries.

A communiqué issued after the meeting between Bharrat Jagdeo and Desi Bouterse noted that the two leaders agreed that the bridge is "also absolutely necessary" for closer cooperation and coordination between the law enforcement agencies of their two countries in the fight against crime.

"They therefore agreed to lend their full support to the ongoing cooperation and consultations between the respective Ministers responsible for public security," it added.

The Corentyne River is a transit-point for illegal arms, drugs and criminals, mainly through the back-track route.

The two Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders told reporters their priority is not Suriname's claim to the New River Triangle but the development of their two countries.

Jagdeo said that the border issue has "overshadowed and stymied cooperation in some many areas" between their countries.

The Guyanese leader told reporters there is no specific time-line on when the feasibility study would be conducted and where the funds could be obtained for the bridge project.

"We agreed that borders are important but we agreed to a changed philosophy that we need to put our relationship beyond just the border issues that we have had in the past," said Jagdeo.

Bouterse, speaking through an interpreter, said that the new mechanism would allow representatives of the foreign ministry to work in small groups on the various aspects of the project and reporting to the two leaders.

"The proposal of the two presidents is to use a new mechanism whereby foreign affairs will filter and study the subjects and once they are brought to the fore, they would be worked at in small groups with specific tasks with targets to be reached," said Bouterse.

Bouterse said that his country had in the past made sacrifices to build bridge across two rivers in Suriname that are now contributing to the economic well-being of the population.

Bouterse and Jagdeo also agreed to greater cooperation between the University of Guyana and the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, aimed at facilitating teacher and student exchanges.

Bouterse also expressed a keen interest in cooperating with Guyana in increasing rice production and export to the rest of CARICOM.