On January 8, 2025, Haiti’s Chancellor Jean-Baptiste participated in the first Benin-CARICOM Ministerial Meeting in Cotonou. He and his counterpart, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, focused on enhancing bilateral ties and agreed to a five-year Memorandum of Understanding aimed at promoting cooperation in key areas such as security, education, and diplomatic efforts.
On January 8, 2025, Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, Haiti’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the inaugural Benin-CARICOM Ministerial Meeting held in Cotonou, Benin, upon the invitation of his Beninese counterpart, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari. The meeting, themed “Strengthening bilateral ties and promoting pan-African and Caribbean cooperation,” included eight ministers from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and aimed to enhance Benin’s relations with countries of Afro-descendant lineage while advancing CARICOM’s goals of developing strategic partnerships.
In a renewed spirit of cooperation, Chancellor Jean-Baptiste met with Olushegun Adjadi Bakari during the meeting. Their discussions addressed pivotal strategic issues pertinent to both nations, emphasizing the importance of mutual collaboration in international institutions to defend common interests. The leaders underscored the necessity of establishing concrete initiatives and sustainable partnerships within areas of mutual interest.
Following these constructive talks, both ministers formalized their commitments through the signing of a renewable five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This MoU aims to facilitate continuous political dialogue on bilateral and international matters. Additionally, both countries have agreed to bolster their cooperation in various domains, including diplomacy, security, education, culture, and scientific research.
The engaging collaboration between Haiti and Benin is significant as both nations share historical and cultural ties shaped by their colonial pasts and contemporary aspirations for development. The 1st Benin-CARICOM Ministerial Meeting serves as a platform for enhancing diplomatic relationships and promoting mutual interests between the Caribbean and African nations. This meeting reflects a broader strategy of international partnership among countries of the African diaspora that seek to address common challenges and foster development across member states. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding marks a commitment to sustained engagement and cooperation moving forward, which is vital for both nations’ strategic objectives.
The recent meeting between Chancellor Jean-Baptiste and Minister Bakari signifies a commitment to deepening relations between Haiti and Benin through collaboration on multiple fronts. By signing the Memorandum of Understanding, both countries have laid the groundwork for a sustained partnership that values mutual support and development in various domains. Such initiatives are imperative in pursuing the collective interests of Afro-descendant nations on the international stage.
Original Source: www.haitilibre.com
