Tuesday, Pierre-Richard Casimir, the Minister of Foreign Affairs who is on an official visit to Suriname, proceeded to the opening of a Consulate General of Haiti in Paramaribo.

The opening ceremony was attended by several guests, including dignitaries from the government of Suriname, members of the diplomatic and consular corps accredited in the country, members of the industry Affairs, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Haiti and representatives of the Haitian community in Suriname.

This opening follows the promise made by President Michel Martelly, during his visit to the Haitian community in Suriname in March. The Consulate General opens its doors to serve a large population of more than 5,000 Haitians.

Our compatriots in Suriname were particularly pleased and proud of the presence of the Haitian authorities in their host country.

For their part, the authorities in Suriname have also expressed their satisfaction with the rapid development of relations of friendship and cooperation between the two states. Winston Guno Lackin, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Suriname, said he was confident that the Haitian-Surinamese relationships will lead to one of the most beautiful axis of bilateral cooperation in the region.

For his part, the Chancellor Casimir said that the inauguration of the Consulate General of Haiti in Paramaribo opens a new era in the relationship between the two countries. He also pointed out that the opening of the consular mission is not an isolated act, but is in line with Government policy to extend and deepen Haiti's external relations with its partners and friends.

In addition, the Haitian Chancellery, informs the Minister of Foreign Affairs, will travel to Trinidad and Tobago from July 3 to 6, 2013 to attend the 34th meeting of the Conference of Heads of State and Government of the Community of Caribbean community (CARICOM) and will be discussed among other things, of the free movement of citizens from the community and the granting of special visas for foreign travelers.

PI/ HaitiLibre