Above: Haiti Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe and Cote d’Ivoire Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan (Photo: OPM Haiti)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Haiti and Cote d’Ivoire have signed a pair of cooperation agreements, according to the office of Haiti Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, who visited the African country this week.

The agreements include a cooperation agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding, covering a range of issues, including security and defence, trade and investment, agriculture, energy, culture and sport, among others.

In the area of security, the agreements will mean the training of Haiti students in Ivorian military and police schools. The two sides also agreed to cooperate to strengthen the Haitian National Police.

Cote d’Ivoire has agreed to a visa exemption for Haitian holders of official, diplomatic and service passports.

The country will also reportedly consider a long-term visa with multiple entries for women and Haitian businesspersons.

According to Lamothe’s office, Haiti and Cote d’Ivoire have agreed to cooperate in the field of agriculture, particularly the coffee and cocoa sectors.

On the wider trade front, the two countries said they would work to adopt legal instruments and “take all necessary measures” to promote an increase in trade — that will include issuing rules of origin for certain products and agreeing on mutual investment protection and the prevention of double taxation.

The two countries have also agreed to host a football match between Haiti and Cote d’Ivoire’s national teams in Haiti.

In a statement, Lamothe said he hoped the visit would help “further strengthen the close relations that exist so happily between the two countries.”

Haiti President Michel Martelly has invited Cote d’Ivoire President Alassane Ouattara and Prime Minister Daniel Kablan Duncan to make an official visit to Haiti.