Bush congratulates Fernandez

[NewsWhore]

Dominican President Leonel Fernandez and his US counterpart George W. Bush have agreed to expedite the process for the Dominican Republic - Central American Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) to come into effect and urged the disbursement of more than US$250 million from multi-lateral organizations to contribute to maintain trust, sustainability and the economic growth of the Dominican Republic. Bush was quoted as saying that "it is beneficial to the United States that the Dominican Republic have a strong economy, and I've assured the President [Fernandez] that we'll get the free trade agreement moving as soon as possible". These funds include the disbursement of US$150 million from the World Bank to support the electricity sector and another US$100 million from the Inter-American Development Bank. The Presidents met in the Oval Office at the White House yesterday. The meeting lasted one hour and ten minutes, according to Diario Libre. During their meeting the two heads of state also discussed other major issues including drug trafficking and security. Bush congratulated Fernandez for the economic growth the DR has achieved during the past months and for the personal leadership he has developed in the region, commenting that he was "proud to be with a strong leader of the region who is committed with the processes of reform, stability, and prosperity."
Fernandez arrived at the White House with Foreign Relations Minister Carlos Morales Troncoso, Central Bank Governor Hector Valdez Albizu, Presidential Minister Danilo Medina, Finance Minister Vicente Bengoa, Technical Presidential Minister Temistocles Montas and Administrative Presidential Minister Luis Manuel Bonetti. After the meeting, Fernandez stated that the precise date for the commencement of the DR-CAFTA could not yet be established but it would take place as soon as possible because the bills that were pending approval have already been submitted to Congress.

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