Haiti and the Dominican Republic work to resolve trade dispute, immigration issues

Haiti and the Dominican Republic and agreed Thursday to facilitate imports of goods and services “without discrimination,” in compliance with international conventions and agreements, as well as national laws and administrative regulations in their territories and respecting guidelines of the World Trade Organization (WTO), which both countries signed off on.

The two nations announced the commitment in a memo of understanding on trade relations after the third round of high level talks in which immigration and documentation issues of Haiti nationals were again discussed.

Both nations also reviewed and consolidated agreements already signed in health, tourism, security, environment, agriculture and customs, and also signed a joint statement in which, among other things, Haiti and the Dominican Republic agreed to extradite fugitives.

Prior to signing the trade agreement, Dominican Presidency chief of staff and delegation leader Gustavo Montalvo had called on Haiti’s Government, represented by Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, to remove the current bans “immediately.”