U.S. Ambassador admits DR-CAFTA difficulties

http://www.dominicantoday.com 11/02/07

Santo Domingo.-The United States ambassador in the Dominican Republic, Hans Hertell, has admitted that a number of complex processes are delaying the country’s entry into the DR-CAFTA free trade agreement.

Speaking at the National Palace yesterday, he assured that the U.S. and Dominican governments were making efforts to ensure that the treaty comes into effect once it is sensible to do so.

To tackle what he described as “complex processes”, Hertell recommended seeking a “balance” to harmonize the interests involved. The ambassador expressed his government’s wishes that the treaty should come into effect as soon as possible.

“This is what both governments are doing. We are working closely to make it a reality,” stressed Hans Hertell. He said that DR-CAFTA involves new trading rules and that people need to realize that things are going to change with this agreement, because of all the new responsibilities and obligations the parties need to take on.

The ambassador was visiting the National Palace together with Peace Corps global directors and 200 Peace Corps volunteers. They were received by Dominican vice-president Rafael Alburquerque.