He also handed out several medas that were issued by the former president.  Suriname's ambassador to the Netherlands, Khargi, organized a get-together to ask the Surinamese citizens in Suriname to share their ideas regarding the development of oil, gas and the environment. But President Simons was not informed of this and read about the event in the media. Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Collaboration Minister Melvin Bouva expressed disapproval over the unsanctioned event.  “70-year-old ambassador Khargi made another diplomatic blunder,” said Minister Bouva. The Ambassador issued decorations that were handed out by former president Chandrikapersad Santokhi. During the ceremony a picture of  Santokhi hung on the wall. “It sends a wrong message when an embassy does it when there is a new  president. The minister of Foreign Affairs therefore summoned the ambassador last Tuesday. Shortly afterwards he decided to fire the ambassador.