Haiti wants CARICOM to consider new travel documents for its nationals

CARICOM chairman President Desi Bouterse gestures to his host, President Michel Martelly in the courtyard of the National Palace in Haiti. Among those also present include St. Kitts-Nevis Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas, St. Lucia’s deputy prime minister Phillip Pierre and CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque,
PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, CMC - President Michel Martelly has asked fellow Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders to consider a plan that would allow Haitians who hold a United States or Schegen visa to travel hassle-free through CARICOM.

Martelly discussed the plan during Monday’s meeting with a CARCOM Bureau of Heads of Government delegation.

At present, Haiti is the only CARICOM member state whose citizens require entry visas in the 15-nation community.

The mission of the Bureau of Heads, CARICOM’s super-committee of leaders, was led by Suriname President and Chairman of CARICOM Desi Bouterse, the bloc’s past chairman, St Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr Denzil Douglas, and CARICOM Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRoque.

The leaders also discussed areas of cooperation including agriculture, health, aviation, security and job creation.

The Haitian leader also announced the update of a protocol signed in the past, including an agriculture agreement aimed at making Haiti an exporter of agricultural products.

Suriname’s Bouterse said CARICOM would do what was necessary to help Haiti, calling it a “very important” member of the Caribbean Community.

Martelly has made clear that his interest in Haitians enjoying the same privileges as other CARICOM member states, and the visa plan could be the first step in that process.

Source: cananews.net