An agreement was signed yesterday between the Ministry of Haitians Living Abroad (MHAVE) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE).

Edwin Paraison, Minister of Haitians Living Abroad declared "After this agreement the incumbents undertake among others: to use the resources available in their respective institution to facilitate communication and closer ties between Haitian communities of the diaspora with Haiti and on the other hand, strengthen the protection and rights of Haitian nationals living abroad and their descendants. Within the framework of this agreement, a joint steering committee is responsible to ensure a good overall coordination between the two parties."

Marie Michele Rey, Foreign Minister stated that this agreement which defined a certain number of parameters will allow missions, embassies and consulates to intervene without having to ask for instructions "all the time, without, that the Minister call me, that I call the Ambassador, Head of Mission or Charge d'Affaires or the consul, in order to intervene". The Minister recalled that the Haitian representations are present where there is a high density of Haitian population and it is in this framework, that we have just opened a consulate in Atlanta, because there is a strong Haitian community in this city.

This agreement should make more effective and faster the actions of Haitian representations abroad, by making them less dependent on the central power, in their common and daily tasks.

S/ HaitiLibre