Speaking at the Presidential Palace yesterday, Monday 21 July 2014, President Danilo Medina declared that the European Union’s main contribution to our country and the world was not its support for development and trade, but its example and inspiration.
He said that it is difficult to speak of the decline of the welfare state at a time when the Dominican Republic is taking decisive steps to build its own and provide education, health and public transport to its citizens.
“We hope that the renewed energies in our country and all of Latin America may serve to return to Europe the inspiration and enthusiasm that Europe has provided to us for decades,” he stated, speaking at the Presidential Palace in the presence of European Commission president Herman Van Rompuy.
Medina remarked that when speaking of building a social and democratic state with a rule of law, we look towards Europe where there are free public services, and the same when thinking of quality education, health, solidarity and gender equality.
The Dominican President went on to talk about his surprise visits and their importance in improving production in rural areas and reducing poverty.
He said that he hoped the country would continue to receive support from the European Union in the push to improve education and teacher training and he thanked the EU for its support over the past 25 years.
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