Wednesday, Pierre-Richard Casimir, the Minister of Foreign Affairs together with the Secretary General of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS), Ambassador Alfonso David Munera Cavadia, on official visit to Haiti, officially launched the 5th Summit Heads of State and Government to be held from 23 to 26 April.

After the summit of Colombia (1995), Dominican Republic (1999), Venezuela (2001) and the Republic of Panama (2005), Haiti will receive for the first time, uring the 5th Summit, representatives (Heads of State and Government) of the 25 Member States, 5 associate members of the ACS and nearly 300 delegates (Ministers, Ambassadors and senior officials) on the theme "Revitalizing the vision of the Association of Caribbean States for a stronger and more united Greater Caribbean".

"The decision of the Government Martelly-Lamothe to organize this Summit in Haiti, is justified by the desire to consolidate the regional strategic positioning, that the country has acquired during the past two years," said the Minister Casimir, claiming that "The Haitian can be proud of this summit."

Tourism, air and sea transport in the Caribbean region, the development of trade and investment and other current major issues, among others on climate change, strengthening governance, rule of law and the effects of the global economic crisis will be discussed during the Summit.

The Declaration of Haiti and the Action Plan of the ACS, which will be adopted at the end of the 5th Summit will reflect a new vision through cooperation of assets and resources of the Wider Caribbean Region.

Ambassador Alfonso David Munera Cavadia, aware of the role played Haiti in the Caribbean countries and in the worldsaid he was confident of positive impact on the Caribbean including for Haiti "I am deeply convinced that there is not a better place to host such an event. It is impossible to speak of the Caribbean not to mention the spiritual and political leadership of Haiti. All the countries of the Caribbean and Latin America are grateful towards this Nation, which opened the way to freedom for many people of the region."

HL/ SL/ HaitiLibre