Above: the meeting in Paris (Photo: Pierre Chabaud/Matignon)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Haiti is a “priority country” for aid from France, according to French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault, who met with his Haitian counterpart, Laurent Lamothe, on Friday at the Hotel Matignon in Paris.

The meeting came as Lamothe wrapped up his trip to France and Belgium last week. Lamothe also met with Victorin Lurel, France’s Overseas Minister and a native of Guadeloupe.

According to a Haitian government statement, the two sides agreed on the “need to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, marked by history and cultural affinities.”

Ayrault sent an official invitation from French President Francois Hollande to Haiti President Michel Martelly to visit France.

Lamothe said France’s anti-poverty programme included certain components that could inspire a similar programme in Haiti, and that he would seek technical assistance from France for any such project.

Ayrault also reportedly wants to see Haiti hold the summif of the heads of state of the Francophonie in 2016.

Lamothe formally invited Ayrault to visit Haiti during the latter’s next trip to the Caribbean.