President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday said that Taiwan would fulfill its pledge to help Haiti’s development in its post-2010 earthquake reconstruction efforts.
Ma arrived in Port-au-Prince on Tuesday after visiting the Dominican Republic, which shares the island of Hispaniola with Haiti.
He met with Haitian President Michel Joseph Martelly, telling him that Taiwan would never leave Haiti behind, but would help it move ahead and emerge from the devastation of the earthquake.
Photo: EPA
Martelly said that reconstruction efforts have not proceeded smoothly, adding that more than five years after the magnitude 7 quake, just 10 percent of reconstruction has been completed.
Taiwan is always devoted to global humanitarian efforts and has the responsibility to help Haiti, Ma said.
It would continue to play a role in providing Haiti with relief during the long-term restructuring path, he added.
The leaders discussed how to improve Taiwan’s aid efforts.
Ma has been considering whether Taiwan would be able to help Haiti develop solar energy generation, which would allow it to cut costs and spend the savings on reconstruction.
The trip to Port-au-Prince is Ma’s second state visit to Haiti. His first was in August 2013, when he and Martelly presided over a ceremony launching Taiwan-funded construction of a new Supreme Court building to replace one destroyed in the quake.
On Tuesday, Ma attended the inauguration ceremony of the new court building.
The Supreme Court project symbolized a strong friendship between Taiwan and Haiti and indicated that bilateral ties have become closer than ever, Ma said.
Taiwan has funded roadbuilding projects, Martelly said, adding that Haiti is looking forward to Taiwan’s help in agricultural development and boosting cultural exchanges.
Ma said that the two nations would mark the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties next year and Taiwan is expected to devise more cooperation projects to commemorate the friendship.
Taiwan is considering working with global organizations to provide vocational training in Haiti in help improve its job market, he said.
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