A large Dominican government delegation was in Puerto Rico since Wednesday, 15 October 2014 for meetings with the Puerto Rican government to coordinate cooperation programs.
Then yesterday, Monday 20 October 2014, the governor of Puerto Rico, Alejandro Garcia Padilla met with the delegation to discuss ways of collaboration.
The day began with a breakfast meeting, and as well as the governor, Eduardo Bhatia Gautier and Jaime Perello Borras, the presidents of the Senate and Chamber of Representatives of Puerto Rico were present, as well as Secretary of State David Bernier Rivera.
Puerto Rico was also represented at the meeting by Senate majority spokesperson Anibal J. Torres, Chamber majority spokesman Carlos Hernandez, Under Secretary of State Javier Gonzalez, Secretary for the Military Jorge Colberg Toro, Victor Suarez, secretary to the Governor, Superintendent of Police Jose Caldero and Emiliano Trigo, advisor to the Governor.
The Dominican delegation was headed by Presidency Minister Gustavo Montalvo, included Foreign Minister Andres Navarro, Industry Minister Jose del Castillo Savinon, Agriculture Minister Angel Estevez, and Higher Education Minister Ligia Amada Melo.
Deputy Foreign Minister Cesar Dargam, director of the Investment and Export Center (CEI-RD) Jean Alain Rodriguez were also present. Major General Julio Cesar Souffront, head of the National Drug Control Agency (DNCD) and National Police chief Major General Manuel Castro Castillo also attended. Ambassador Virgilio Alvarez, Dominican consul in Puerto Rico Franklin Grullon, and Juan Ariel Jimenez, advisor to the Minister of the Presidency were also part of the large delegation.
Following a full day’s work, a joint press conference was held where the delegates shared the results of the meetings.
The Puerto Rican authorities expressed their support for the Dominican government in citizen security matters and offered training courses for Dominican police officers in the Puerto Rican Police Academy.
As far as higher education was concerned they discussed the creation of a US$500,000 fund with each country contributing half to train officials in strategic areas of government. In addition the Puerto Rican government expressed interest in helping to teach English to Dominicans.
Other areas discussed during the meetings included cooperation in agriculture, commerce and the fight against drug trafficking.
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2014/10/20/342159/Inician-agenda-entre-gobernador-de-PR-y-mision-dominicana
http://www.presidencia.gob.do/noticias/encuentro-con-garcia-padilla-da-inicio-la-agenda-de-mision-dominicana-en-pr
http://www.presidencia.gob.do/noticias/comision-mixta-puerto-rico-republica-dominicana-logra-importantes-acuerdos