Aruba and Suriname signed a memorandum of understanding strengthening bilateral relations between the countries.
ORANJESTAD - On Monday, October 21, President of Suriname Chan Santokhi arrived in Aruba accompanied by First Lady Mellisa Santokhi-Seenacherry for a one-day working visit.
It is the first time that President Santokhi has visited Aruba. However, President Santokhi had met with Prime Minister Evelyn Wever-Croes on multiple occasions during UN conferences.
President Santokhi signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that strengthened bilateral relations during the visit.
Thus, Aruba will bolster its collaboration with Suriname now and in the future. Aruba and Suriname have historical and family ties. In Aruba, there is an important Surinamese community.
Agreements were made in the Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on various topics, including the economy, trade, agriculture, environment, tourism, education, culture, health, migration, and security. The president and prime minister agreed to establish commissions and groups tasked with addressing the issues raised by the agreement following the MoU signing.
The President commended the Prime Minister and his staff for the sound preparation and organization that led to the MoU signed between the two countries. During his stay, President Santokhi also met with the Governor of Aruba, S.E. Alfonso Boekhoudt, the Council of Ministers, and the President of Parliament.
President Santokhi said after the meeting that he is happy to have reached an agreement with Aruba and will thus continue to grow the relationship and cooperation between Aruba and Suriname. He is also confident that we can continue to build a fantastic future for the two nations that benefit their respective citizens.
“I would like to thank President Santokhi, Minister Ramdin, and the entire delegation for the visit. Also, my word of gratitude to all those who worked to make the visit possible and that we could reach the MoU to strengthen relations between Aruba and Suriname. With this a beautiful future awaits us. I invite citizens and those with connections to Suriname to use these opportunities. Aruba and Suriname can look forward to important opportunities for the benefit of the two countries," the Prime Minister expressed.