Haiti’s Martelly, Dominican Republic’s Medina Planning Bilateral Talks

Above: Haiti President Michel Martelly and Dominican Republic President-Elect Danilo Medina

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Haiti’s President, Michel Martelly, and Dominican Republic President-Elect Danilo Medina are planning to convene bilateral talks.

The two sides are pledging to further strengthen relations between the neighbours on Hispanola, following Martelly’s phone call to congratulate Medina on the win earlier this week.

The conversation reportedly took place in a “friendly atmosphere,” and the meeting would likely take place in Haiti.

According to Ruben Silie Valdez, the Dominican Republic’s Ambassador in Haiti, relations will be strengthened with the arrival of Medina, particularly the Joint Bilateral Dominican-Haitian Commission.

The commission, which was conceived in 1995 under President Joaquin Balaguer, was created during current President Leonel Fernandez’ first term in 1996.

Last month, officials from Haiti and the Dominican Republic held talks in Santo Domingo aimed at coordinating initiatives under the commission, following an agreement between the two countries in March.

In the same month, the Dominican Republic and the European Union signed a $54.7 million agreement for a programme of bilateral cooperation with Haiti aimed at promoting cross-border trade.