Minister of Foreign Relations Eduardo Latorre says that the most pressing tasks ahead for the new minister will be related to the free trade agreements in process. He says the Fernández administration is leaving behind negotiations for the signing of free trade agreements with Chile, Cuba, Venezuela and Ecuador. Likewise, the new authorities need to continue lobbying before Congress for the passing of the free trade agreements that were already signed with Central America and the Caribbean. The information was released when President Leonel Fernandez visited the Ministry of Foreign Relations. Minister Eduardo Latorre said that those treaties are essential for the economic and commercial development of the DR. As achievements of his term at the helm of the Ministry of Foreign Relations he mentioned the negotiations for the post Lome IV agreement, that today is the main source of international assistance for the DR. He also mentioned the new round of the millennium of the World Trade Organization and the Free Trade Agreement of the Americas negotiations. Another international relations achievement is the securing of the textile parity bill. Latorre mentioned the modernization of the ministry, construction of the diplomatic and consular school, organization of four presidential summits, visits of the Presidents of Mexico, Taiwan, Colombia, Cuba and Spain. Also, the admission of the DR to the Group of Rio and the Non-aligned group of nations. He mentioned trade promotion and investment agreements signed with France, Taiwan and Cuba, the open skies agreement signed with the US. Also, the participation of President Fernandez in 13 chief of state summits, six official visits, four swearing in ceremonies, and nine trips abroad to promote trade and investment.
