The United States signed a military reciprocity agreement for increased cooperation with US military personnel deployed to the Dominican Republic on Tuesday, 20 January 2015. Foreign Minister Andres Navarro and Defense Minister William Munoz Delgado signed the agreement on behalf of the DR. Ambassador James Brewster and John Kelly, chief of the US Southern Command signed for the US. Navarro said that the agreement would provide US military and civilian staff on temporary assignments in the DR easier arrangements for visits, exercises and other mutually-agreed upon activities, as well as best means so that objectives and common interests can be met.
“The Dominican Government recognizes the value of the work of the US government, through the Southern Command, in the arduous task of combating drug trafficking, security operations, intelligence and support to similar activities in the country and our region, which demonstrates, once again, the ties of friendship between the countries,” Navarro said.
He added that ministries of defense of both countries routinely take part in training activities and exercises to improve capacities to prevent transnational crime and humanitarian assistance to the people.
Brewster announced that in September the Dominican Republic would be hosting the army exercise, “Continued Promise” that includes a visit by the USNS Comfort ship of the US Navy’s seagoing medical treatment facility. The Comfort has a staff of 1,300 specialists who provide medical services worldwide when carrying out humanitarian assistance and aid to natural disasters.
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