Brussels, 25/02/2014 (Agence Europe) - On an official visit to the European institutions for the second time, Republic of Haiti President Michel Joseph Martelly received praise and encouragement from European Council President Herman Van Rompuy to continue with reforms to help Haiti's recovery and to work for political stability ahead of the country's parliamentary elections - with the renewed support of the EU. Van Rompuy praised the progress of the inter-Haitian dialogue, and stated that the EU will give €5 million to the trust fund. He will visit Haiti himself in July.
“The EU is a dependable and solid partner for Haiti”, Van Rompuy stated at a brief joint press conference after his meeting with Martelly. He said that there were “historical, linguistic and cultural links” between the two parties, that the EU was lending its support to the reform process, and that a structured dialogue was launched last December. To accompany the government's socio-economic efforts, there is a need to guarantee a stable political environment, Van Rompuy stated. “Sustained efforts remain crucial for the parliamentary elections in autumn”, he said. He welcomed progress in the inter-Haitian dialogue on this, giving assurances that “the EU is ready to support the electoral process. It will give €5 million to the trust fund”.
Martelly gave his “thanks to the countries of the EU for their precious help after the earthquake” and for the EU's budgetary support amounting to €112 million for the reform of the state and that of public finance.
Martelly also spoke of a “new dynamic” that has seen a million people re-housed, 1.4 million children at school, and the police managing to maintain a climate of security - to the extent that “the US has removed Haiti from the list of dangerous countries in the world”. On the economic level, inflation was reduced from 6.5% in 2012 to 4.3% in 2013, and GDP growth increased from 2.9% in 2012 to 4.5%, he said. In Martelly's view, “Haiti is getting back on its feet. Our institutions are weak, but stronger than three years ago”. Other progress mentioned by Martelly includes the vote on the money-laundering law, a draft law on fighting corruption which is about to be put to the vote, and the electoral law which has already been published. In Van Rompuy's opinion, the consolidation of the state structures under Martelly's mandate would be a historic step. Van Rompuy and Martelly did not take any questions from the press. (AN/transl.fl)