Last Thursday, the Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe, accompanied by several members of the government, met with the Ambassador Javier Niño Perez, Head of the Delegation of the European Union (EU), accompanied by the Ambassadors of Spain and Germany and of French and Italian Chargés d'Affaires.

The objective of the meeting was to formally launch a process of political dialogue between the EU and Haiti as provided by Article 8 of the Cotonou Agreement, which establishes the partnership between Haiti and the European Union [Article 8 : "The Parties shall regularly engage in a comprehensive, balanced and deep political dialogue leading to commitments on both sides."]

The two sides welcomed the launch of this process and are committed to deepening the partnership between the EU and Haiti to work together to strengthen democracy, the struggle against poverty and ernsure grow in Haiti.

Javier Niño Perez declared "The very strong cooperation that unites Haiti and the European Union has channels of dialogue established and consistent. Nevertheless, today we are laying the foundations for a strengthened dialogue initiated and carried to the highest level [...] All the essential political issues to strengthen our ties and seeking common solutions can be discussed. This dialogue can then irrigate the discussions at a technical level to further strengthen the effectiveness of our cooperation and the achievement of shared goals."

The objective is to exchange information, to foster mutual understanding and to facilitate the definition of priorities and principles of action. The dialogue will have a bi-annual basis and will be completed by informal meetings at ministerial level according to the themes addressed. It will be held in a frank and open way, according to the principle of non-interference and with an emphasis on listening and mutual respect and will highlight the elements of agreement, but also the differences if any. All issues of common interest and to the respective presence of Haiti and the EU on the international scene will be addressed."

In accordance with the Cotonou Agreement, the dialogue will cover among other issues related to good governance (rule of law, human rights, justice, fight against corruption), investment and trade, management of public finance as well as regional issues and the cooperation in international fora.

Learn more about the Cotonou Agreement :

In 1989, Haiti has joined the group of ACP countries (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific), signatories of the Lomé Conventions that underpin cooperation between the European Union and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (called ACP countries) . On 23 June 2000, the ACP countries and the European Union signed the new Cotonou Agreement sealing a framework of constructive partnership, demanding and participatory for 20 years. The Cotonou Agreement aims to develop the private sector, improve social services, foster regional integration, to promote equal opportunities for men and women, protect the environment and to gradually abolish progressively and reciprocally barriers to trade.

HL/ HaitiLibre