Barbadian–Surinamese relations are diplomatic relations between
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of the Americas, and the most easterly of the Caribbean Islands. It occupies an area of and has a population of about 287,000 (2019 estimate). ...
and
Suriname
Suriname (; srn, Sranankondre or ), officially the Republic of Suriname ( nl, Republiek Suriname , srn, Ripolik fu Sranan), is a country on the northeastern Atlantic coast of South America. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north ...
. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 February 1977.
Neither country has a resident ambassador. Barbados is accredited to Suriname from
Bridgetown
Bridgetown (UN/LOCODE: BB BGI) is the capital and largest city of Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles of the West Indies, in the Caribbean region of the Americas, and the most easterly of the Caribbean Island ...
. Suriname is represented in Barbados through its embassy in
Port of Spain
Port of Spain (Spanish: ''Puerto España''), officially the City of Port of Spain (also stylized Port-of-Spain), is the capital of Trinidad and Tobago and the third largest municipality, after Chaguanas and San Fernando. The city has a municip ...
, (
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago (, ), officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean. Consisting of the main islands Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous much smaller islands, it is situated south of ...
).
Early history
In 1650, the governor of Barbados
Francis Willoughby, 5th Baron Willoughby of Parham sent a ship to establish a colonial settlement in Surinam. Lord Willoughby later visited the
colony
In modern parlance, a colony is a territory subject to a form of foreign rule. Though dominated by the foreign colonizers, colonies remain separate from the administration of the original country of the colonizers, the ''metropole, metropolit ...
, to assist with its development.
Fort Willoughby
Fort Zeelandia is a fortress in Paramaribo, Suriname. In 1640 the French built a wooden fort on the spot, which during the British colonial days was reinforced and became Fort Willoughby. It was taken by the Dutch in 1667 and renamed Fort Zeelan ...
, under the command of Governor Lieutenant-General William Byam, was captured by
Dutchmen
The Dutch (Dutch: ) are an ethnic group and nation native to the Netherlands. They share a common history and culture and speak the Dutch language. Dutch people and their descendants are found in migrant communities worldwide, notably in Arub ...
from the State of Zeeland under the command of
Abraham Crijnssen on 27 February 1667 after a 3-hour fight. The Dutch changed the name of Fort Willoughby to Fort Zeelandia and established Dutch control over the whole
colony
In modern parlance, a colony is a territory subject to a form of foreign rule. Though dominated by the foreign colonizers, colonies remain separate from the administration of the original country of the colonizers, the ''metropole, metropolit ...
.
Bilateral relations
On 17 February 2005 the leaders of Barbados and Suriname signed the "Agreement for the deepening of bilateral cooperation between the Government of Barbados and the Government of the Republic of Suriname,
Mia Mottley
Mia Amor Mottley, (born 1 October 1965) is a Barbadian politician and attorney who has served as the eighth prime minister of Barbados since 2018 and as Leader of the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) since 2008. Mottley is the first woman to hold ...
the new Prime Minister of Barbados recently paid the Republic of Suriname a three day visit which took place on November 14th through to the 16th 2020."
On 23–24 April 2009 both nations formed a Joint Commission in
Paramaribo
Paramaribo (; ; nicknamed Par'bo) is the capital and largest city of Suriname, located on the banks of the Suriname River in the Paramaribo District. Paramaribo has a population of roughly 241,000 people (2012 census), almost half of Suriname's ...
, Suriname to improve relations between both countries and to expand into various areas of cooperation. Since the first meeting a second one was held on 3–4 March 2011 in Dover, Barbados.
At the second meeting several areas of mutual interest were reviewed including: agriculture, trade, investment, as well as international transport, entertainment, culture and tourism.
Trade
Trade between both nations is in Suriname's favour due to Barbados importation of Suriname's Bunker 'C' grade fuel oil.
Because of the importance of natural resources, both governments discussed their overlapping maritime boundaries in 2007.
See also
*
Foreign relations of Barbados
*
Foreign relations of Suriname
As part of the foreign relations of Suriname, the country is a participant in numerous international organizations. International tensions have arisen due to Suriname's status as a trans-shipment point for South American recreational drugs destin ...
References
External links
Bilateral relations of Barbados, Suriname
Bilateral relations of Suriname
{{Bilateralrelations-stub