The Prime Minister, Laurent Lamothe, accompanied by Pierre-Richard Casimir, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, met Tuesday, September 25, at United Nations Headquarters, the President of South Africa, Mr. Jacob Zuma, who was accompanied his wife and Mrs. Maïté Nkoana Mashabane, South African Minister of Foreign Affairs and international Cooperation.

Both Statesmen, who welcomed the strong cultural similarities between the two nations and the historical ties of friendship and cooperation between them, have put forward their clear desire to work to strengthen relations between the Republic of Haiti and South Africa.

Prime Minister Lamothe stressed that the warming of relations between the Republic of Haiti and the African countries in general and South Africa in particular, is one of the main priorities of the foreign policy of his Government. He soon announced the reopening of the Embassy of Haiti in Pretoria.

The President Zuma, welcomed the spectacular progress made in Haiti terms of recovery, socio-political stability, infrastructure redevelopment and the improvement of the security environment and showed its determination to support the efforts of reconstruction and development of Haiti and announced that South Africa, is in the process of accredit a new ambassador to Haiti, with residence in Jamaica.

In terms of bilateral cooperation between the two states, the following main areas were identified: mining, energy, tourism, agriculture, culture and sports. The South African President has also promised to support the rapprochement of Haiti with the African Union and to participate to the mobilization of international solidarity in favor of the reconstruction of the country.

The possibility of a visit in South Africa of President Michel Martelly on the sidelines of the XIV Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Francophonie, held in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo in mid-October, was mentioned.

The two officials have instructed their respective Ministers of Foreign Affairs, to follow up their exchanges, that took place in an atmosphere of cordiality and openness.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-6733-haiti-politic-laurent-lamothe-pleaded-for-a-new-partnership-with-ngos.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-6727-haiti-politic-intervention-of-prime-minister-to-new-york-on-the-rule-of-law.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-6721-haiti-politic-some-news-of-prime-minister-in-new-york-update.html

HL/ HaitiLibre