The President of the Republic, Michel Martelly, had several bilateral meetings, this Friday, April 26, 2013 with Heads of State, as a prelude to the opening of the Fifth Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Association of the United the Caribbean (ACS). These are the presidents of the Dominican Republic, Danilo Medina, Guatemala, Otto Perez Molina, Chile, Sebastian Pinera Echenique and the Minister of Overseas Department of the French Republic, Mr. Victorin Lurel.

Dominican Republic

With the President of the Dominican Republic, the discussions focused on the issue of the environment, the regularization of the situation of Haitians living in the Dominican Republic, the trade exchanges and investment opportunities in Haiti. The President of the Republic took the opportunity to note the progress made in various fields. He promises to continue working to normalize the situation of Haitians eager to have an identity card. The President Martelly also pledged to exercise better control at the border.

On the other hand, the Head of State reiterated the commitment of his Administration to encourage international investors to invest their capital in the country which is proving that it is ready to receive them.

For his part, the Dominican President urged the Haitian authorities to support the implementation of a project based on environmental protection. He announced the decision of his government to grant temporary status to Haitians living in an irregular situation if Port-au-Prince is committed to providing a piece of identification for all citizens. Mr. Medina has promised to initiate discussions to reduce the disparity criticized by Haitian officials in trade between the two countries.

Guatemala

With his counterpart of Guatemala, the Head of State of Haiti, in the presence of Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe Salvador, members of government and councilors reiterated the commitment of his Administration to strengthen cooperation with the government of Guatemala. "We have made ​​great efforts to achieve the justice reform, the establishment of a secure environment conducive to investment in the country and the establishment of the electoral structure to organize the next elections," welcomed the President of the Republic that has, furthermore, invited the two countries to work on the development of projects with direct and rapid impacts.

The President of Guatemala, in turn, praised the Haitian authorities for the progress made in different areas. He took the opportunity to invite the Haitian leaders to participate the 30 and 31 May 2013 at a summit on investment in Guatemala.

HL/ HaitiLibre