SANTO DOMINGO. - Recognizing that the reality of migration is one of the main issues to be addressed and that it has tested the country's institutional and social capacities , President Luis Abinader yesterday stated that it is necessary "to achieve a migration model that is humane in its treatment, but firm in its control," so that the legitimate interests of the country are protected.
To achieve this, he said, control systems must be modernized , border management strengthened , and effective enforcement of our immigration laws must be ensured.
This is what the president said during the second meeting with former presidents Hipólito Mejía, Danilo Medina and Leonel Fernández, along with the Economic and Social Council (CES), represented by Rafael Toribio.
“This forum faces the task of deliberating on how to transform our border communities into engines of sustainable progress. We must consider modern infrastructure, the provision of basic services, the creation of decent jobs, and the promotion of investments that will transform the lives of those who live in these areas.”.
Abinader once again called for national unity to confront the Haiti crisis, stating that it is "a duty that transcends generations and political colors," and that the actions to be taken as a country will be defined through national consensus and respectful debates.
“Our commitment must be to a nation that finds its shield in justice, its strength in unity, and its destiny in dignity.”.
Labour
“Along these same lines, we cannot overlook the issue of labor. Many productive sectors in our country employ Haitian labor, a situation that has generated both benefits and challenges,” which is why we must analyze how to guarantee that labor relations are governed by respect for the law, the dignity of work, and the rights of all people, thus combating informality and ensuring fair working conditions.
Likewise, the president stated that he would reflect on strategies to protect Dominican territory from the threats of transnational crime , human trafficking , arms trafficking, and illicit substances , as well as combat the root causes of insecurity, by committing to comprehensive policies that combine surveillance and intelligence with investment in education, employment, and social cohesion.
This dialogue between the different political blocs and sectors of society seeks to find ways to continue defending the sovereignty, security and dignity of the Dominican Republic, maintaining peace and paths to development.
International community
Furthermore, he reiterated the call to the international community and said that the CES should debate how to articulate an active and proactive that calls on the world to take joint action for the institutional and economic reconstruction of Haiti.
Bilateral trade
Another goal of the CES is to find appropriate ways to institutionalize secure, transparent and mutually beneficial bilateral trade , as it is a pillar for numerous sectors of the economy
Given this need, “it is urgent to design mechanisms that eliminate illegal practices and strengthen formal channels of exchange,” President Abinader stated.
Photo: External source.
