President Leonel Fernández is scheduled to travel to Port-au-Prince on 18 June to reciprocate the visit of Haitian President Rene Preval in March 1996. On the agenda of President Fernández is the signing of joint agreements with Haiti in the framework of the Lomé Convention European Union cooperation program. President Fernández also has a trip scheduled to St. Lucia for 30 June. He will participate in the second meeting of chiefs of state and governments of the Africa, Caribbean and Pacific group nations signatories of the Lomé Convention. The President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela will be guest speaker at the event. Also on the presidential agenda is the 21-22 August meeting of Caribbean Community chiefs of states in Santo Domingo. President Fidel Castro has confirmed his participation in the event. The meeting will also commemorate the 500th anniversary of the foundation of the city of Santo Domingo.
