WASHINGTON, United States — Minister of National Security Robert Montague today met with Haiti’s Minister of Justice Camille Edouard and discussed security matters affecting both countries.

The bilateral meeting took place at the US State Department in Washington, DC where both Ministers are attending the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative Caribbean-United States Security Cooperation Dialogue.

The talks centred on the drugs for guns trade, and relief for Haiti which was recently impacted severely by Hurricane Matthew.

The CBSI dialogue is being held under the theme: Towards a more effective partnership: maintaining momentum on critical projects and initiatives within 12 months, establishing a stronger partnership for the future.

Montague is a co-facilitator of the plenary session: Enhancing our partnership and building the foundation for a comprehensive approach: next steps and emerging issues such as terrorism, countering violent extremism and cyber security.

The CBSI was conceptualised by US President Barack Obama in 2009 and formed as a joint effort between the USA and its Caribbean partners with the strategic objectives to substantially reduce illicit drug trafficking, advance public safety and security and promote social justice.

Since the establishment of the CBSI the USA has provided significant regional and bilateral assistance of over US$250million to fund various CBSI projects. Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago are members of the CBSI.

In noting the importance for the need for continued dialogue with Haiti given its proximity to Jamaica and the security concerns, Montague noted that there will be increased intelligence sharing between both countries, and the exploration of further areas of cooperation.