Title

Friendship and cooperation agreement between between the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Republic of Suriname

Preamble

The Government of the Netherlands Antilles, acting on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands,

and

The Government of the Republic of Suriname,

Desiring to reaffirm the cordial relations between the Netherlands Antilles and the Republic of Suriname, and to reaffirmto strengthen the historical ties of friendship between the people of these two countries more closely,

Convinced of the importance of establishing effective cooperation betweenboth countries and peoples, particularly in thein the fields of economy, industry, technology and culture,

Have resolved to establish for this purpose an Agreement of Friendship and Cooperation and have thereby agreed as follows:

Body

GENERAL

Article 1.

The Netherlands Antilles and the Republic of Suriname shall foster the cooperation between the two countries both in the public and private sectors to the best of their abilitiesand in the private sector to the best of their ability to develop and promote cooperation, in particular in the areas of economy, industry technology and culture.

ECONOMIC, INDUSTRIAL AND TECHNICAL COOPERATION

Article 2.

Based on the principles of reciprocity and mutual interest, the Netherlands Antilles and the Republic of Suriname interest, the Netherlands Antilles and the Republic of Suriname undertake toundertake to promote the development of economic, industrial and technical cooperation in all sectors of economic life - especially in the fields of trade, industry, agriculture, fisheries and services.

Article 3.

With due regard to their national laws and internationalobligations, the Netherlands Antilles and the Republic of Suriname shall take appropriate measures to achieve the cooperation envisaged in the following areas:

a. economic projects beneficial to their bilateral relations, including the establishment of joint ventures;

b. the promotion of cooperation between the competent organizations in the field of trade and industry;

c. the development and diversification of trade, including in products of agriculture, livestock, fisheries, forestry and mining;

d. the promotion of trade in raw materials, semi-finished and finished products for the benefit of local communities and finished products for local industry; and

e. the improvement and expansion of transport facilities and other connections.

Article 4.

The Netherlands Antilles and the Republic of Suriname shall take the necessary measures to promote tourism between the two countries and will promote tourism between the two countries and shall consider the most appropriate forms ofcooperation in this regard.

Article 5.

1. The Netherlands Antilles and the Republic of Suriname shall guarantee the fair and equitable treatment of the investments, property, rights and interests of each other's and interests of each other's nationals (natural and legal persons) involved in the present co-operation.

2. In particular, each country shall accord to such investment, property, rights and interests the same security and protection as it accords to its own nationals or to nationals of third countries, whichever treatment is the most favourable to the investor.

Article 6.

In order to promote effective cooperation in the present field, the two countries will promote the exchange of information, experience and data, allow mutual assistanceand conduct joint research.

CULTURAL COOPERATION

Article 7.

In order to promote cooperation between the two countries in the fields of practice of science and education, the Netherlands Antilles and the Republic of Suriname undertake to the best of their ability and on a basis of reciprocity:

a. the exchange of and contacts between professors, other scholars and students, as well as the cooperation between the Universities and other institutions of science;

b. the exchange of experts and technical committees of branches of science to be determined by mutual agreement; 

c. to promote cooperation between experts and institutions in the institutions in the field of education in the general sense.

Article 8.

In order to promote in their respective largesse a better knowledge of the culture, in the broad sense, of the other country, the Netherlands Antilles and the Netherlands Antilles and the Republic of Suriname shall reciprocally encourage:

a. the exchange of visits and other contacts between persons and/or institutions in the field of literature, visual arts, music and arts, music and dance, theater and literature, mass media, popular development, youth education and nature conservation;

b, the organization of exhibitions in the field of art and other exhibitions of a cultural nature;

c. the organization of conferences, concerts and theatrical performances;

d. the exchange of radio and television programmes and the distribution of gramophone records;

e. the distribution of books, magazines and other publications;

f. the showing of films of a scientific, educational or cultural character;

g. the organization of other activities of a cultural nature to be agreed upon of a cultural nature.

ORGANIZATIONAL PROVISIONS

Article 9.

1. The Netherlands Antilles and the Republic of Suriname hereby establish a Joint Netherlands-Antilles/Suriname Commission, composed of representatives appointed by them.

2. The Commission shall be the supreme coordinating body for consultation on and review of cooperation under this Agreement. In particular, it shall oversee the application and implementation of this Agreement, examine possibilities for cooperation and examine possibilities for cooperation and make recommendations in this regard to the Governments of the Netherlands Antilles and the Netherlands Antilles and the Republic of Suriname, to advise on any problems that may arise and to assist the problems that may arise and to deal with the proposals submitted by the said Governments.

3. The Commission shall meet at the request of any of the said Governments, but at least once a year, alternately in the Netherlands Antilles and in Suriname.

4. The Committee may be assisted by experts.

5. The meetings of the Commission shall be chaired by a member of the Commission from the country in which they are held.

Article 10.

Without prejudice to the provisions of Article 9, paragraph 2, the Governments referred to therein shall, if they consider it necessary, set up working groups for specific sectors such as economic, commercial industrial, scientific and technical cooperation, agriculture and fisheries, tourism and cultural exchanges.

Article 11.

Any further arrangements necessary for the purpose of achieving the objectivesof this Agreement may be entered into, subject toArticle 9, paragraph 2, may be made by mutual agreement between the said Governments.

FINAL PROVISIONS

Article 12.

As regards the Kingdom of the Netherlands, this Convention shall apply only to the Netherlands Antilles.

Article 13.

1. This Convention shall enter into force on the first day of the second month following the date on which the Government of the Netherlands Antilles and the Government of the Republic of Suriname have notified each other that the relevant constitutional requirements have been met in the Kingdom of the Netherlands applicable in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and in the Republic of Surinam, respectively, have been fulfilled.

2. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph 1, this Agreement shall be applied provisionally from the date of its signature.

Article 14.

1. This Agreement shall apply for an indefinite period of time.

2. It may be terminated in writing by either party at any time, subject to six months' notice.

It may be terminated at any time by either Party by giving six months' notice in writing.

Conclusion

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned, duly authorized thereto, have signed this Agreement.

DONE at Paramaribo on November 27, 1978, in duplicate in the Dutch language.

For the Government of the Netherlands Antilles, Acting on behalf of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

(w.g.) S. G. M. ROZENDAL

S. G. M. Rozendal

For the Government of the Republic of Suriname

(w.g.) H. A. E. ARRON

H. A. E. Arron

Prime Minister, Minister of General and Foreign Affairs