Haitian President, Rene García Preval, met the leading Dominican politicians, including the three presidential candidates and gave his views on how the two countries can work together to their mutual benefit. The candidates agreed in their support of the initiatives by both governments to create bilateral plans for commerce, ecological protection, migration and cultural exchange. The meetings were held at the home of the Haitian ambassador to the Dominican Republic, Guy Alexandre, who is married to a Dominican.
The new President of Haiti met with Leonel Fernández of the PLD, who said that the winner of the next election should ensure continuity for the agreements. He said, “It is obvious that the new authorities will have to continue with these steps to strengthen the common agenda, for the very elemental reason that it is continuity for a state policy.” He felt that the visit of Mr García Preval was an important event for the strengthening of relations between both countries. “The agenda in itself and the fact that it has been discussed at the highest levels is for me a good sign that we are advancing in the direction of strengthening our international ties with our sister Republic of Haiti,” said Leonel Fernández.
In his meeting with José Francisco Peña Gómez it was reported in the Listín Diario that the latter feels the visit is the start of the improvement of relations between the D.R. and Haiti. Dr Peña felt that the visit of the statesman was an excellent opportunity to touch upon matters relative to health, education and the ecology on the Dominican/Haitian frontier, and reiterated that his government would follow through with the agreements.
When the Haitian President met Jacinto Peynado, presidential candidate of the Partido Reformista Social Cristiano, he discussed common plans to reduce poverty, create employment on the frontier and generate electricity. Jacinto Peynado said, “There is a common agenda to fight the great problems that affect our nations, especially in the area of human development, in the poor areas as well as the provision of electricity along the frontier. Mr Peynado said that the next government will have to implement the projects now being jointly planned with Haiti.