Stephen Lashley, Minister of Culture of Barbados after a meeting with his Haitian counterpart, Ms. Dithny Joan Raton, on the sidelines of CARIFESTA XII in Port-au-Prince, revealed that the two parties agreed that there was a need for both countries to seriously consider a cultural agreement.

"We have talked extensively about the need to work closer together. I have signalled the willingness of Barbados to discuss the possibility of a cultural agreement between Haiti and Barbados," declared Lashley, noting that because of the common history of the two nations and their African ancestry, such an agreement should be explored.

The Minister Lashley also stressed the value of Haiti in history, seen as one of the first black democracies; adding that the two countries "have a lot to exchange and share."

He said that further talks about the agreement was likely to take place in the near future "We are looking to proceed towards concluding a cultural agreement in the shortest possible time."

PI/ HaitiLibre