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PARAMARIBO– Suriname and Guyana are looking at putting aside their differences and jointly exploring the riches of the Tigri area, a large parcel of land both claim ownership of. “We’re looking at a practical solution to this issue, because the conflict is hampering our advancement,” Foreign Minister Winston Lackin told local media on Monday.

The triangular shaped Tigri area in south west Suriname (known as the New River Triangle in Guyana) has been a point of dispute between the two nations since 1840. Both countries claim the zone between the Upper Corantyne, the Coeroeni and the Koetari rivers, known to the Guyanese as the New River Triangle. Suriname considers the area part of the Coeroenie area of District Sipaliwini, whereas the Guyanese consider it part of their East Berbice-Corentyne region. Since 1969, when Guyanese soldiers forcibly claimed Tigri, the area has been under Guyanese rule, leaving the conflict simmering below the surface.

It sparked briefly in 2000, when Canadian oil company CGX started drilling in the disputed area with Guyanese authorization, and Suriname sent out its navy to stop operations.  Guyana and Suriname have since put their differences on the CGX issue aside and forged a new partnership agenda to a further concretization of relations.

Lackin said that projects have already been identified that could be developed in the area; Guyana is for instance looking at using water from the embattled Corentyne River as a source for energy. Suriname considers the entire river its property with the border between the two countries on Guyanese side, but Guyana places the border in the middle of the river.

Lackin said the plans are to put the bickering aside. “The decision is to put money in decisions that will advance our two small economies, or education; rather that than in an armed conflict.”