After marathon meeting Dominican Republic, Haiti announce pacts

Jimani, Dominican Republic.- After a meeting of more than 12 hours that began around noon Monday, Dominican Republic and Haiti officials announced agreements reached by the committees taking part in the second day of talks at the border town in western Independencia province.

After 1am Tuesday Dominican Presidency chief of staff Gustavo Montalvo read the series of agreements in Spanish and stressed the good relations between both nations and thanked Venezuela Foreign Minister Elías Jaua’s mediation.

Montalvo listed agreements on immigration, customs, agriculture, environment and cooperation between both countries’ police forces including the apprehension of fugitives and drug traffickers.

Montalvo said the Dominican Government provided details of its plan to regularize foreigners already underway, including the issuing of entry visas to temporary workers and foreign students.

In that regard Haiti pledged to expedite the issuance of passports to its citizens

The officials from both countries stated their satisfaction for the agreement to exchange customs information, considered a first step to bolster border controls and surveillance with an interconnected information system, in addition to technical assistance to establish channels of official contact and create a Joint Work Committee.

"These developments constitute a very significant milestone, and reveal the extent of this dialogue," Montalvo said.