The Dutch king will make a state visit to Suriname in early December, the first such visit in 47 years, Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons said after returning from the UN summit in New York.
The invitation follows diplomatic consultations this month, Simons said.
Prime Minister Dick Schoof will be in Suriname on Nov. 25 for the celebration of independence (Srefidensi). That was agreed during his meeting with the Surinamese head of state in New York.
A Netherlands state visit is customary because there has been a new Surinamese government for a few months, Simons said.
Under the regime of the convicted Desi Bouterse, no royal visit took place for years.
Simons spoke this week in New York with heads of state, investors and with representatives of Curaçao, St. Maarten and Aruba, countries with which she had contact years ago when she was president of parliament.
It is time for the countries to “do business with each other,” Simons believes.
According to news agency ANP, there will be a new ferry connection with which Suriname can export agricultural products to islands in the Caribbean. Barbados is also said to be interested.
