Thursday, February 6, 2014, the President Michel Martelly, was received at the White House by his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama. In a very cordial atmosphere, the two heads of state exchanged (behind closed doors) in the Oval Office, around the strengthening of ties of cooperation between Haiti and the United States.

President Barack Obama highlighted the progress made by the Administration Martelly, among others, in the areas of security, reconstruction, infrastructure and economic growth. He also recounted the efforts of the team in power to rehouse displaced people of January 12, 2010. In addition, the U.S. President urged the President Martelly to intensify the Universal Schooling Program Free and Compulsory (PSUGO) that has already helped more than one million children to have access to education. For him, it is also important that Haiti continues to work towards the strengthening of democracy and republican institutions.

Aware of the magnitude of the challenges in Haiti, President Obama promised all the support of his administration to the President Martelly. "I had instructed my office for it accompanies the authorities of Port-au-Prince in their many efforts to put the country on the tracks of sustainable development."

For its part, the Chief of the Haitian state, committed to further boost relations between Haiti and the United States of America, President Martelly thanked President Barack Obama, the U.S. government and people for their support to Haiti and reiterated its firm determination to make every effort to establish a rule of law in the country, strengthening democracy and improving the living conditions of the Haitian people.

This closed meeting was preceded by a brief statement of the two Presidents to the media in which they declared :

President Obama

"It’s a great pleasure to welcome President Martelly of Haiti to the Oval Office. Our two countries really brought about the trend towards independence in the Western Hemisphere, and we have had a longstanding relationship of many years. The bonds between our two peoples are extraordinarily strong, including the contributions made by Haitian Americans, who in all walks of life make enormous contributions to our own country.

Obviously, over the last several years, our relationship has been shaped in part by our desire to help Haiti rebuild after the devastating earthquake that took place. We’re now at the four-year anniversary of that tragic event that devastated such a large portion of not only Haiti but also devastated the Haitian economy. The good news is that because of not just the mobilization of international support, which the U.S. helped to lead, but also because of strong leadership from the Haitian people themselves and President Martelly, we’ve begun to see progress. The economy is growing; security is improving; infrastructure is getting rebuilt rubble has been removed; health facilities are beginning to open up; schools are starting to get back into place, and businesses are starting to return to Haiti.

It’s been a very slow and difficult process, and I think we are all recognizing that we have a lot more work to do. But my main message today to the President and to the people of Haiti is that the American people are committed to standing with you in this process. We want to make sure that all the children of Haiti can look forward to lives of opportunity and prosperity and security. And I’m very encouraged by the fact that Haiti has now made progress on an election law that could ensure elections this year and help to resolve some of the political roadblocks that stalled some progress in the country, and I appreciate the President’s efforts on that front.

I’m looking forward to hearing where we can help in other reforms that I know he cares about -- such areas as human rights, prison reform, the judiciary, dealing with issues of corruption that are inhibitors to progress in any country, including ours. And we will continue to stand by Haitian democracy, Haitian leadership, and the Haitian people in this slow and steady progress that needs to take place.

So, Mr. President, welcome. We’re very proud of our relationship with Haiti and we look forward to deepening it in the years to come.

President Martelly

Thank you, Mr. President. I’d like to first thank the people of the United States, the government, and you, Mr. President, for always standing by the Haitian people. I would also like to acknowledge the presence of the First Lady, Michelle Obama, in Haiti after the earthquake. I’d like to thank her for her support also.

Through this meeting, Mr. President, I hope we have a chance to discuss matters pertaining to security -- security in Haiti, security in the region, our ability to fight together narcotraffic, and, of course, talk also about my engagement in building a strong democratic state.

So thank you for hosting me. It’s an honor to be here.

President Obama

Thank you very much, everybody. Appreciate it."

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-10468-haiti-politic-first-working-day-of-president-martelly-in-washington.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-10458-haiti-politic-president-martelly-en-route-to-washington.html

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre