Contrary to earlier reports the Dutch ambassador has been invited to the inauguration of Desi Bouterse as president in Paramaribo on Thursday, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry has told Radio Netherlands Worldwide.

”The Netherlands has received a formal invitation to attend the inauguration. The ambassador says he will attend the inauguration of the democratically elected president of Surinam. The Netherlands has always striven for a businesslike and close relationship with Surinam and indicated that functional contact will be maintained with the new Surinamese government and its head of state. The relationship between the Netherlands and Surinam remains a special one, because of their shared history, the common language and the personal relations between people in the two countries,” says the foreign ministry.

Earlier various media reported that the Netherlands was not welcome at the inauguration ceremony. Even the future Surinamese foreign minister Winston Lackin appeared to back objections to the Dutch attending the ceremony. But he did stress wanting to remain friends with the Dutch people and Dutch businesses.

© Radio Netherlands Worldwide