With his very open integration with the opposition congressmen in Haiti, the Dominican President also sought to bring a message to the Haitian congressmen that it is possible to work together with opposition groups for the common good of the nation. Indeed, the Listín Diario carried a report that Haitian congressmen were impressed with the Dominican statesman. President Fernández exhorted Haitian congressmen to preserve dialogue as an instrument for the strengthening of democracy and the search of solutions to problems that internally affect both nations in the areas of unemployment, poverty, health and education. "Even if we are and will continue to be two nations, two cultures, two peoples, we are one island, one ecosystem and are obliged to reach agreements and help each other to preserve the environment, our soils, our forests, our river basins and our coasts," said President Fernández in Haiti. "The Dominican President gave us a true lesson. He encouraged us to move ahead of our crisis," said Hipolythe Melius, chief of the cabinet of the president of the Lower House. "His message was very positive, he spoke sincerely and motivated there be exchanges between Dominicans and Haitians," said senator Edgart Leblanc, president of the National Assembly. Vasco Thernelan, president of the Lower House said, "With this visit of President Fernández to Haiti, the doors of this country are open. We are going to find ways to facilitate good communication between the Dominican and the Haitian peoples." President Fernández invoked Jacques Roumain’s words when calling for unity of the Haitian and DR people. "Let us organize a grand feast to forge a brotherly relationship to resolve the common problems, especially the flagellum of drug trafficking," said President Fernández. He motivated both countries to work together for development, overcoming prejudices, be able to speak, in a framework of mutual respect on common issues.
