Guyana and Suriname discuss convening of Border Commission
Feb 12, 2025
Kaieteur News-Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd met with Her Excellency Ms. Liselle Blankendal, Ambassador of Suriname to Guyana on Tuesday, at her request.
During the meeting, Minister Todd and Ambassador Blankendal discussed the convening of the Border Commission between Guyana and Suriname.
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Hugh Todd met with Her Excellency Ms. Liselle Blankendal, Ambassador of Suriname to Guyana
Tuesday’s meeting follows the Guyana Government and several local entities strong condemnation of the use of a map at a conference in Suriname that incorporated the New River Triangle as part of that country.
“Every Guyanese, especially those of us who hold positions of leadership and influence in this country, should know with certainty and conviction what are the limits of our territory. The New River Triangle remains an integral and indivisible part of the territory of Guyana, because it was so determined by a process recognised as binding under international law,” Foreign Secretary, Robert Persaud said.
His response came following reports of the map that was used at the International Business Conference in Suriname, which was hosted by the Suriname-Guyana Chamber of Commerce and organised by Action Invest Caribbean Incorporated and Global Event Partners.
Persaud in a statement on his Facebook page explained that the starting point of the boundary between Guyana and Suriname was determined in 1936 when a joint British-Dutch-Brazilian Boundary Commission identified the source of the Kutari River on the watershed with Brazil, as the tri-junction point where the boundaries of Brazil, British Guiana and Suriname meet.
“A monument exists marking the tri-junction point, the southernmost point of the boundary between Guyana and Suriname. The Report of the tri-junction point was signed by Heads of the three Commissions to the following effect: The Mixed Commission, being satisfied that this is the only river which in any way answers to the Schomburgk’s description of the Kutari agreed that the boundary Surinam and British Guiana, as defined in the instructions issued to the Mixed Commission, should follow the left bank of its longest branch.”
According to a statement posted on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Facebook page, Ambassador Blankendal spoke of the success of the recently held International Business Conference, which she stated promoted the advancement of the private sector partnership between Suriname and Guyana.
“The Ambassador also reaffirmed the commitment of the Government of Suriname to the Strategic Dialogue and Cooperation Platform (SDCP), between the two countries, and alluded to the immense potential for collaboration to strengthen the bilateral relations.
The Ambassador noted the recently circulated reports in the media and reiterated Suriname’s commitment to advancing its bilateral partnership with Guyana,” the post stated.
Meanwhile, Minister Todd noted and affirmed Guyana’s commitment to the rule of international law, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, strengthening regional cooperation and enhancing the bilateral and friendly relations between Guyana and Suriname within the establish framework.
(Guyana and Suriname discuss convening of Border Commission)
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