Brussels, 19/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - On a visit to Brussels on Monday, the President of the Republic of Haiti, Michel Joseph Martelly, was given encouragement from the institutions of the EU to continue his efforts to guarantee a stable political climate conducive to reconstruction, and assurances of European solidarity and support to meet this challenge in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.
Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, congratulated the Haitian government on the "considerable work it has achieved" since it came to power in May 2012 to push forward reforms, improve strategic planning capacity and to ensure a resumption in the coordination of international aid, but also laid emphasis on the "need to guarantee a stable political climate to ensure that EU and international cooperation can be implemented rapidly and effectively". Having travelled to Brussels to "thank the EU for always having stood alongside us and for redoubling its support after the earthquake in 2010 and the two hurricanes" and to "reassure them", President Martelly told the press that "Haiti is rising again from its ashes". Standing alongside him, José Manuel Barroso, the President of the Commission, stressed that the EU had honoured 85% of the donations pledged in 2010, or 440 million euros, and promised that "EU aid will continue". Education, reform of security and the fight against drugs trafficking may be among the priorities. (AN/transl.fl)