Technical Secretary of the Presidency Temistocles Montas announced yesterday that the country paid US$27 million on the sovereign bond coupon that expired 23 January 2013. He said the country had savings of RD$557 million when making the payment compared to the interest paid last semester when the US$1 commanded RD$50. In a statement, Montas said that the Dominican Republic is behind in several of its international contractual obligations and is working to restructure its debt towards a sustainable debt profile that is compatible with the requirements of the agreements signed with the International Monetary Fund and the Paris Club.