Brussels, 05/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - Andris Piebalgs, the European commissioner for development, will begin a two-day visit to Haiti on Tuesday 6 March to encourage long-term reconstruction of the country through new aid. The day before he left, the commissioner stated: “the European Union has lived up to its promises in delivering life-saving and long-term assistance to Haiti, whose recovery remains at the top of our priorities.” He added: “Our ambition is now to accelerate the reconstruction and development process. There are still substantial challenges to address for which good governance, political stability and effective planning are key elements for success. To this end, we are launching, together with the Haitian authorities, a plan for the two years to come, focusing on bringing more help to the people who need it most.”
Piebalgs will meet with the new Haitian president, Michel Martelly. He will also hold talks with senior government ministers, members of parliament and civil society representatives, as well as inaugurating the road section between Mirebalais and Hinche and laying the first stone of the section between Hinche and Cap Haitian - part of the new 200km road between Port-au-Prince and Cap Haitian (Haiti's second largest city). (AN/transl.fl)