Presidential

Haiti, Ecuador Sign Two Accords

QUITO, Ecuador (defend.ht) - President Michel Martelly signed two bilateral agreements with Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa on Wednesday that describe technical cooperation in reconstructing Haiti and political cooperation in the region. These agreements were described by the Communication's Office of the President.

Thursday, July 12, 2012: The President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Michel Joseph Martelly, and his Ecuadorian counterpart, Rafael Delgado Correa, signed on Wednesday, July 11, at the Ecuadorian Presidential Palace, two bilateral agreements on Haiti's reconstruction and technical cooperation with Ecuador.

The first agreement, valued at approximately $15 million, is intended to support the reconstruction of Haiti, through programs of implementation, the construction of roads, dikes, canal repair, waste processing, modular housing construction, rehabilitation of school infrastructure ... The agreement also covers the training of technicians in the Artibonite Department, under the responsibility of the contingent of military engineers of the Ecuadorian Army. This will help strengthen the area's economy, whose great strength lies in its agriculture.

The second agreement covers scientific cooperation in the fields of agriculture and security ... And since Ecuador has reported that its resources and structures are weak to provide technical assistance to Haiti in strengthening the national police, it has agreed on the organization of several meetings with Haiti to benefit from this support through UNASUR. The Basic Agreement also provides for the development of technical cooperation programs and activities that include, among others, transformation of state structures and institutional strengthening, social welfare, elderly help and assistance to people with disabilities.

A South-to-South cooperation to strengthen ties of friendship

The two leaders pledged to ensure the coordination of cooperation, strengthening the ties of friendship existing between the two peoples; exchanges and consultations for the common welfare. They were first interviewed in private, then agreed, at the workshops held during the day, on a series of actions that will address issues related to the international agenda and mutual support of nominations from each country at the international level.

This south-south cooperation covers also the tourism development of Haiti, following the example of Ecuador, which has opened its country (cities, beaches, culture, history) to the world, Haiti is now opened to tourists again by launching its new image: "Haiti, long live the experience."

The Head of State took the opportunity to ask President Correa to help the Haitian government to promote private investment in Haiti Ecuador. The President of Ecuador, for his part, reiterated his commitment to assist Haiti to consolidate its ambitions in reconstruction and sustainable development.

On the 11th Day of July, also was seen the return of keys to the city of Quito to President Martelly. Mayor Augusto Barrera has praised the courage and determination of the Haitian Head of State.

Another highlight: a visit to the specialist hospital Eugenio Espejo (as part of a memorandum of agreement with Ecuador for assistance to persons with disabilities), Manuela Espejo solidarity mission house and a standard created by the latter.

Discussions around the Possibilities of Joint Actions

Accompanied by the Secretary of State for Disability, Gerald Oriol Jr., The President of the Republic met with the Undersecretary of State for Disability, Dr. Alex Camacho, around possibilities for joint action.

Indeed, the Martelly/Lamothe administration is demonstrating its political will to social inclusion with a focus on vulnerable groups which include people with special needs. It has started to explore, through this partnership with the Ecuadorian government, the areas of collaboration that include:
a) technical and financial support to the achievement of a specific enumeration of the disabled population of Haiti and the training of statisticians; a prevalence survey on disability, a system of prevention of disability from birth ; a pilot project on specialized transit;
b) support for the establishment in Haiti of a geospatial system, similar to that of a Solidarity Manuela Espejo;
c) capacity building workshops in the capital existing prostheses and other creative workshops in other cities. This support can manifest itself in strengthening the training of technicians;
d) technical contribution to the establishment of a mentoring program for families with one or more members with disabilities very heavy, requiring assistance;
e) technical support for the design and creation of a research and promotion of sign language;
f) training of technicians in support of people with disabilities in situations of risk and natural disasters.

President Joseph Michel Martelly believes there should no longer be room for instability in Haiti, the time has come for the nation to embark on the path to sustainable development and solidarity cooperation, technical and scientific.

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