Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in Cotonou, Benin (West Africa) in the 1st Benin-CARICOM Ministerial Meeting (January 8, 2025) at the invitation of his Beninese counterpart Olushegun Adjadi Bakari.

Placed under the theme : "Strengthening bilateral ties and promoting pan-African and Caribbean cooperation", this meeting which brought together 8 Ministers of Foreign Affairs members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), aimed to consolidate Benin's relations with Afro-descendant nations on a global scale, while supporting CARICOM's objective of building strategic partnerships that promote the development of its member states.

As part of efforts to strengthen ties with its African partners, in a renewed dynamic of cooperation, Chancellor Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, on the sidelines of this meeting, met with his counterpart Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, in an approach guided by a vision of openness, collaboration and mutual progress.

The fruitful discussions between the two Chancellors focused on strategic issues for both countries. The parties stressed the need to strengthen bilateral relations by developing concrete initiatives and sustainable partnerships in areas of mutual interest. They stressed the importance of mutual support within the fora of international institutions, with a view to defending common positions and working for the development of their respective nations.

Following these discussions, the two Chancellors formalized their commitments by signing a renewable 5-year Memorandum of Understanding, promoting regular political consultations on bilateral and international issues.

The two countries also agreed to deepen their cooperation in the areas of diplomacy, security, education, culture and scientific research.

"An ambitious partnership for shared interests and a common future."

HL/ S/ HaitiLibre