Caracas and Paramaribo signed agreements covering energy, agriculture, connectivity, trade, education and food security.
Venezuela and Suriname signed agreements on energy, agriculture, trade, transport and other sectors on Friday as the two countries moved to deepen bilateral cooperation during a high-level meeting in Paramaribo.
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Venezuelan acting President Delcy Rodríguez and Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons met at the Presidential Palace in Paramaribo, where government delegations signed a package of bilateral instruments covering hydrocarbons, gas, energy, maritime and air transport, agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, food security, education and multilateral cooperation.
The agreements include measures to expand agricultural and fisheries cooperation. The two countries signed a memorandum on the responsible development of fisheries and aquaculture, while Venezuela reviewed its agro-export offer to supply Suriname’s poultry sector.
The governments also assessed the technical feasibility of supplying Suriname with urea at affordable prices to meet demand for agricultural inputs.
The two sides agreed to optimize air and maritime transport routes, facilitating the movement of passengers and goods between Venezuela and Suriname and across the Caribbean Basin. The arrangements are also intended to create opportunities for trade and multidestination tourism, led by Venezuelan Minister Daniela Cabello.
Energy cooperation was another key part of the agreements, including arrangements for the supply of gas and hydrocarbons. The package also includes specialized academic training, with Suriname’s Anton de Kom University participating in technology-transfer and knowledge-exchange programs related to the oil industry and associated services.
Geerlings-Simons highlighted the breadth of the bilateral discussions, noting that the commitments covered “agriculture, livestock, fisheries, capacity-building, trade and investment, connectivity, tourism and security.”
The Surinamese president detailed the outcome of the visit, reporting the signing of “two agreements, four agreements of intent, three frameworks for cooperation and a joint declaration.” She also expressed appreciation for Venezuela’s support with supplies and productive inputs from a geographically close partner.
Welcoming Delcy Rodríguez to Suriname, Geerlings-Simons declared: “On behalf of the Government and the people of Suriname, it is a pleasure for me that my colleague, the president of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, the excellent Delcy Rodríguez, has begun her visit to Suriname.”
The Venezuelan acting president framed the visit as an effort to strengthen bilateral ties and regional cooperation. “Accompanied by the president, the purpose of this visit is to strengthen the bilateral agenda and consolidate strategic cooperation agreements that promote regional integration,” Delcy Rodríguez stated.
She also thanked Suriname for the humanitarian assistance it provided to Venezuela following the June 24 double earthquake.
“I am very pleased to be alongside a woman president of our South America and the Caribbean. First of all, on behalf of the people of Venezuela, I want to express our gratitude for the humanitarian assistance provided by Suriname during the most difficult hours of the double earthquake on June 24. The Venezuelan people will always carry it in their collective memory and in their hearts,” the acting president said.
The governments also agreed to reactivate the sixth mechanism for political consultations and hold the 10th meeting of the Venezuela-Suriname Joint Commission.
The visit coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Caracas and Paramaribo, which were formally established in November 1975. During the meeting, the two presidents and senior officials also paid tribute to Simón Bolívar.
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