Guyana is hoping to continue “good relations” with the new Surinamese Govt

Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo says that Guyana is ready to continue the already strong bilateral ties with the new Surinamese Government, with a focus on building economic collaborations and enhancing the welfare of citizens from both countries.
Suriname has elected its first female president, Jennifer Geerlings-Simons, who officially took office on Wednesday, July 16. President Geerlings-Simons’ election came after a coalition deal was struck in the National Assembly to appoint her in office to replace former President Chandrikapersad Santokhi following the country’s May 2025 polls.
Guyana’s Prime Minister, Brigadier (Ret’d) Mark Phillips, had attended President Geerlings-Simons’ inauguration ceremony on Wednesday. On the side-lines of the historic inauguration, PM Phillips met with the new president in Paramaribo.
Asked about the Guyana Government’s engagement with the new Surinamese administration, VP Jagdeo told the Guyana Times at a press conference on Thursday last that they were awaiting a briefing from the prime minister on this meeting with President Geerlings-Simons but assured that Guyana is ready to continue the good relations that the two South American neighbours share.
“I hope that we will have good relations with the [new] Government of Suriname because we’re neighbours and there are many things we can do together to enhance the welfare of our people and to expand economic opportunities for people of both countries, and we’re hoping to pursue a collaboration with Suriname,” the vice president noted.

In a social media post following his meeting with the new Surinamese leader, PM Phillips reaffirmed Guyana’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, with particular emphasis on advancing economic and social co-operation between the two neighbouring states.
He emphasised that Guyana and Suriname are “one people”, bound by shared history, values, and aspirations, and identified several key areas for continued collaboration—including energy cooperation with Brazil, agriculture, and fisheries.
The Surinamese Head of State expressed her intention to work closely with the Government of Guyana on bilateral matters of mutual interest. She noted the importance of transparency and cooperation in fostering fruitful relations and affirmed her Government’s readiness to engage in joint projects that will benefit both countries.
Prime Minister Phillips also informed President Geerlings-Simons that the Co-operative Republic of Guyana will hold General and Regional Elections on 1st September 2025 and reiterated the Government’s commitment to a process that is free, fair, and democratic. He also noted that President Ali looks forward to engaging with her on matters of mutual importance for Guyana and Suriname.

Collaborations
The Co-operative Republic of Guyana and the Republic of Suriname, which established diplomatic relations in 1975, share longstanding bonds of friendship, mutual respect, and cooperation.
One of the major projects pending between the two neighbouring nations is the construction of the highly anticipated Corentyne River Bridge that will link Guyana and Suriname.
Only last month, Senior Minister with Responsibility for Finance, Dr Ashni Singh, indicated that Guyana was waiting to continue discussions, which are already in advanced stages, with the new Government of the Dutch-speaking nation.
While in Guyana in May, former President Santokhi had announced that the sod-turning ceremony for the new Corentyne River Bridge will be held in a few weeks.
The high-span Corentyne River bridge will run approximately 3.1 kilometres (km), connecting Moleson Creek in Guyana to South Drain in Suriname with a landing on Long Island in the Corentyne River, where a commercial hub and tourist destination will be established. That free zone will see major infrastructural development such as hotels, recreational parks, entertainment spots, tourist attractions, malls, and farmers’ markets.
The bridge project is one of the first agreements between Presidents Ali and Santokhi in 2020, with both heads previously underscoring the critical role the bridge across the Corentyne River would play in advancing cooperation, creating more opportunities for development for both countries.
Guyana and Suriname have settled on the Chinese construction company, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), as the preferred contractor to build the new bridge. However, it is unclear whether the contract has been signed. Both Guyana and Suriname had written to the Government of China for financing of the bridge project.
Meanwhile, Suriname is now forging ahead with its first offshore petroleum development project, with first oil expected in mid-2028, and Guyana has already committed to collaborating with the Dutch-speaking nation.
VP Jagdeo had previously noted that while Suriname’s offshore project will focus mainly on developing the oil resources, it nevertheless opens up the possibilities for the two countries to jointly explore developing their shared gas resources.
On the side-lines of the Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo held in Georgetown back in February, VP Jagdeo and Natural Resources Minister Vickram Bharrat met with Managing Director of Staatsolie – Suriname’s state-owned oil company, Annand Jagesar, to discuss that potential collaboration.