On January 8, 2025, Haiti’s Foreign Minister, Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, attended the Benin-CARICOM Ministerial Meeting, aiming to strengthen relations and enhance cooperation between Caribbean and African nations. The meeting led to the signing of a five-year Memorandum of Understanding between Haiti and Benin, focusing on collaboration in various sectors including diplomacy, education, culture, and security.
On January 8, 2025, Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Haiti, participated in the inaugural Benin-CARICOM Ministerial Meeting held in Cotonou, Benin. Invited by his Beninese counterpart, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, this assembly sought to enhance bilateral relations and foster cooperation between African and Caribbean nations. The meeting, themed “Strengthening bilateral ties and promoting pan-African and Caribbean cooperation,” convened eight Foreign Ministers from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), aiming to bolster Benin’s diplomacy with nations of Afro-descendant heritage.
In a display of collaboration and mutual advancement, Minister Jean-Baptiste engaged in significant discussions with Chancellor Bakari, focusing on strategic matters pertinent to both countries. They underscored the necessity of enhancing bilateral engagements through actionable initiatives and enduring partnerships across sectors of mutual interest, particularly in advocating for shared agendas within international institutions. Subsequently, they formalized their agreements by signing a renewable five-year Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate ongoing political dialogue on both bilateral and international matters.
The countries also resolved to enhance collaboration in diplomacy, security, education, culture, and scientific research, aiming for a robust partnership reflective of their shared goals and mutual aspirations.
Haiti’s involvement in the 1st Benin-CARICOM Ministerial Meeting is part of a broader strategy to deepen diplomatic relations with African nations. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) engages with African countries to foster development and cooperation based on shared cultural and historical links. This meeting marks a significant step towards enhancing these longstanding ties, paving the way for collaborative initiatives designed to tackle common challenges and promote sustainable development in the regions involved.
The interactions between Haiti and Benin during the recent ministerial meeting highlight a commitment to nurturing bilateral relations grounded in cooperation and mutual support. Through the establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding, both nations have laid the groundwork for sustained dialogue and collaboration in crucial sectors. This initiative not only aims to reinforce diplomatic ties but also signifies a collective stride towards achieving economic and social advancement for their respective populations.
Original Source: www.haitilibre.com
