Foreign relations of Suriname
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2007-12-19T18:03:20Z
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{{Unreferenced|date=July 2007}}
{{Politics of Suriname}}
As part of the '''foreign relations of Suriname''' the Suriname is a participant in numerous international organizations. The country claims an area in [[French Guiana]] between [[Litani River, South America|Litani River]] and [[Marouini River]] (both headwaters of the [[Lawa River, South America|Lawa]]). Suriname also claims an area in [[Guyana]] between New ([[Upper Courantyne]]) and Courantyne/[[Koetari River]]s (all headwaters of the [[Courantyne River|Courantyne]]).
International tensions have arisen due to Suriname's status as a transshipment point for [[South America]]n [[recreational drug use|drug]]s destined mostly for [[Europe]].
==International organization participation==
Suriname is a member of numerous international organization. Among them, since gaining independence, Suriname has become a member of the [[United Nations]], the [[OAS]], and the [[Non-Aligned Movement]]. Suriname is a member of the [[Caribbean Community and Common Market]] and the [[Association of Caribbean States]]. It is associated with the [[European Union]] through the [[Lome Convention]]. Suriname participates in the Amazonian Pact, a grouping of the countries of the [[Amazon Basin]] that focuses on protection of the Amazon region's natural resources from environmental degradation. Reflecting its status as a major [[bauxite]] producer, Suriname is a member of the International Bauxite Association. The country also belongs to the [[Economic Commission for Latin America]], the [[Inter-American Development Bank]], the [[International Finance Corporation]], the [[World Bank]], and the [[International Monetary Fund]]. Suriname became a member of the [[Islamic Development Bank]] in [[1998]], under the [[Wijdenbosch]] government. In 2003, Suriname joined the [[Nederlandse Taalunie]] ([[Dutch Language]] union).
==Regional and international agreements==
Bilateral agreements with several countries of the region, covering diverse areas of cooperation, have underscored the government's interest in strengthening regional ties. The return to Suriname from [[French Guiana]] of about 8,000 refugees of the 1986-91 civil war between the military and domestic insurgents has improved relations with French authorities. Longstanding border disputes with [[Guyana]] and French Guiana remain unresolved. Negotiations with the Government of Guyana brokered by the [[Jamaica]]n Prime Minister in 2000 did not produce an agreement but the countries agreed to restart talks after Guyanese national elections in 2001. In January 2002 the presidents of Suriname and Guyana met in Suriname and agreed to resume negotiations, establishing the Suriname-Guyana border commission to begin meeting in May 2002. An earlier dispute with [[Brazil]] ended amicably after formal demarcation of the border.
In May 1997, then-President Wijdenbosch joined [[USA|U.S.]] [[Bill Clinton|President Clinton]] and 14 other [[Caribbean]] leaders during the first-ever U.S.-regional summit in [[Bridgetown]], [[Barbados]]. The summit strengthened the basis for regional cooperation on justice and counter narcotics issues, finance, development, and trade.
On [[June 2]], [[2000]] CGX Energy Inc, a Canadian oil exploration firm, was carrying out seismic survey procedures in Guyanese waters which Suriname states lie within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In reaction, Suriname sent military gunboats to the zone. As a result, the two nations nearly went to war over the offshore oil fields — which according to the US Geological Survey rank among the largest untapped oil and gas reserves in the world, estimated at up to 15 billion barrels of oil. Despite the intervention of the 15-nation Caribbean community (CARICOM), the two nations have failed to settle the dispute. Since the conflict erupted in 2000, Suriname not only forbade CGX to explore in the disputed area but also prohibited Guyanese fishermen to enter what Suriname states are its territorial waters. In the case before the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Sea (UNCLOS), Guyana has also asked for provisional measures to explore and fish in these waters again.
==See also==
*[[Surinamese diplomatic missions]]
==External links==
*[http://www.embsurnd.com/ High-Commission of Suriname in New Delhi, India]
*[http://www.brassuri.org.sr/ Embassy of Brazil in Paramaribo] {{pt_icon}} {{nl_icon}}
*[http://www.ambafrance-sr.org/ Embassy of France in Paramaribo]
*[http://www.indembassysuriname.com/ Embassy of India in Paramaribo]
*[http://www.mfa.nl/prm Embassy of the Netherlands in Paramaribo] {{nl_icon}}
*[http://www.surinameembassy.org/ Embassy of Suriname in Washington, DC]
*[http://un.cti.depaul.edu/cgi-bin/spider.py?_request=0&country=Suriname Permanent Mission of Suriname to the United Nations]
*[http://paramaribo.usembassy.gov/ United States Embassy in Paramaribo]
{{Foreign relations in South America}}
[[Category:Foreign relations by country|Suriname]]
[[Category:Government of Suriname]]
[[Category:Politics of Suriname]]