Suriname is a country in Latin America where Dutch is an official language. Since 2004, it has therefore been an associate member of the Dutch Language Union, along with Flanders and the Netherlands. Suriname also plays an active role in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).
As a Dutch speaking country in the tropics, it is becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination for Dutchmen and the Flemish alike. It covers a large surface area (163,000 km2) yet has a population of only 500,000 people, almost all of whom are based in and around the capital Paramaribo, whose historic centre has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site. There are a number of very different population groups of European, African and Asian origin in the country, forming a patchwork of ethnic groups and races.
The Flemish Association for Development Cooperation and Technical Assistance (VVOB) has been active in Suriname for three decades. It carries out projects there with the aim of strengthening the local education system. The Surinamese authorities increasingly turn to Flanders for information and expertise.
- Partnership agreement between the members of the African, Carribean and Pacific Group of States of the one part, and, the European Community and its Member States, of the other part
- Agreement amending for the second time the partnership agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific group of estates, on the one part and the European Community, on the other part, signed in Cotonou 23 June 2000
- Economic partnership agreement between the CARIFORUM States, of the one part, and the European Community and its member states, of the other part
- Agreement amending the Partnership Agreement between the members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, of the one part, and the European Community and its Member States, of the other part
- Agreement amending the fourth ACP-EP Convention of Lomé