Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu paid an official visit to the Dominican Republic on 15 April 2014.

Within the framework of the visit which is the first visit from Turkey to the Dominican Republic at the level of Foreign Ministers, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu was received by President of the Dominican Republic, Mr. Danilo Medina Sánchez and met with his Dominican counterpart, Mr. Carlos Morales Troncoso.

At the bilateral meetings held during the visit, developing relations between Turkey and the Dominican Republic were reviewed in all aspects and views were exchanged on regional and current international issues that are of concern to both countries.

During the visit, agreements on “Trade and Economic Cooperation,” “Air Services” and “Visa Waiver for Official Passports” were also signed.

At his statement to the press following his meeting with President Sánchez, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu underlined that Turkey regards the Dominican Republic as an important partner for cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean region. He recalled that Turkish Embassy was opened last year in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic which is the largest economy and the second most populous country in the Caribbean. Foreign Minister Davutoğlu noted that the agreements signed during the visit will boost the economic and commercial relations between the two countries.

Foreign Minister Davutoğlu also paid an official visit to Haiti where he was received by the Prime Minister, Mr. Laurent Lamothe and met with Foreign Minister, Mr. Duly Brutus and Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Wilson Laleau. At the meetings, bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues including the bilateral cooperation within the framework of Caribbean Community (CARICOM) were discussed.

Speaking to the press members together with his Haitian counterpart, Foreign Minister Davutoğlu pointed out that as the two earthquake-hit countries, Turkey and Haiti have emotional links. Foreign Minister Davutoğlu recalled that following the earthquake in Haiti, the Turkish government and the Turkish people immediately mobilized to help the Haitian people. Foreign Minister stressed that a delegation from Turkish Cooperation and Development Agency (TİKA) will visit Haiti in a short time with a view to reviewing the technical and economic assistance which can provided by Turkey.