Mr. Bernard Kouchner, French Minister of Foreign Affairs and Mr. Ronald Baudin Haitian Minister of Economy and Finance, signed yesterday three agreement totaling 12.4 million euros.

Beforehand, the French minister posed the first stone of the new Hospital of the University of State of Haiti (Université d’Etat d’Haïti UEH), and visited the Champ de Mars where several thousands of people live moved and nearly 1.500 tents were destroyed the day before its arrival.

Concerning the new university hospital whose engagement at the side of the United States was signed on September 20th in New York, Bernard Kouchner had, at the time of this event, guest the Haitian authorities to set up a mode of public health in order to also offer to the Haitians an health insurance so that the poor can, too, seek treatment at University Hospital declaring "I am very happy that we started working together here, and that this wonderful hospital that we will build, heals all Haitians in the country..."

By signing the first agreement, France donates € 10 million to Haiti to allow the government to functionaries. This amount is the second tranche of 20 million euros in direct budget support in 2010. A release of five million euros in direct budget support had been made as soon as April. A balance of 5 million is payable to Haiti to reach 20 million euros in 2010. Twenty million more for direct budget support are planned for 2011.

The second agreement, of 1 million euros related to reform of the cadastre, a way for France to not have to leave the field open to the OAS and the United States already in the process. Finally, the third agreement, of 1.4 million relate to a support for food aid.

"I share with the Haitians the need for dealing with their own business. More quickly the international community will leave and better it will be. This will mean that the Haitians have their responsibilities in hand." Kouchner said at a press conference before leaving the country.

BF/ HaitiLibre