The leaders highlighted opportunities to deepen bilateral relations and coordinate actions to address regional challenges
SANTO DOMINGO.– The Dominican Republic and Honduras agreed to strengthen their bilateral cooperation agenda after the meeting held between Presidents Luis Abinader and Nasry Asfura Zablah, during the Honduran president's official visit to the country.
The meeting, held at the National Palace, allowed both leaders to assess the state of relations between the two nations and establish new areas of collaboration in sectors considered strategic for economic and social development.
Trade and investment, among the priorities
During the talks, Abinader highlighted the growth of trade between the Dominican Republic and Honduras, while expressing the interest of both governments in continuing to create conditions that facilitate investment and expand opportunities for productive sectors.
The agenda also included aspects related to connectivity, culture and the generation of new joint projects, with the purpose of leveraging the existing potential between both economies.
The Dominican president highlighted that the countries have maintained diplomatic ties for more than a century and considered that this history constitutes a basis for building a more dynamic and beneficial relationship for their citizens.
Security and regional challenges
Security cooperation also occupied a significant place during the meeting. The presidents addressed the fight against organized crime and emphasized the importance of information and intelligence sharing to confront these threats.
In that context, both governments expressed their willingness to continue working through regional cooperation mechanisms, including the Shield of the Americas.
The situation in Haiti, migration, democracy and other issues of regional interest were also part of the talks, in which the leaders noted the existence of coinciding positions on several of these challenges.
Honduras seeks to capitalize on Dominican tourism experience
Tourism was another sector identified as an opportunity to increase collaboration. President Asfura acknowledged the Dominican Republic's accumulated experience of over four decades in tourism development and infrastructure.
The Honduran leader also raised the possibility of using that knowledge to promote initiatives related to the modernization of agriculture, tourism, and other productive sectors in his country.
Asfura argued that both nations can work together to contribute to a more productive, secure, and prosperous region.
Central American and Caribbean Games
During his visit, the Honduran president also praised the Dominican Republic's performance in organizing the Central American and Caribbean Games, highlighting the results achieved by the Dominican delegation and the development of the sporting event.
He also expressed his gratitude for the Dominican Republic's support of Honduras, which will host the next edition of the games in November 2029.
The Honduran president considered that the Dominican experience represents a benchmark that can be used in preparation for the regional sporting event.
Coordination in international organizations
Another point discussed was the need to maintain coordinated positions in international forums. Abinader and Asfura agreed on the importance of strengthening cooperation in spaces such as the United Nations (UN) and other regional mechanisms.
Asfura also acknowledged the role played by the Dominican Republic during its pro tempore presidency of the Central American Integration System (SICA) and highlighted the importance of continuing to promote regional integration.
An agenda with new projects
At the conclusion of the meeting, both presidents agreed that the official visit allowed them to establish a work agenda that transcends diplomatic matters and seeks to translate into concrete projects and agreements.
Abinader reiterated that the Dominican Republic considers Honduras a friendly and partner country, while Asfura extended an invitation to the Dominican head of state to make an official visit to Honduran territory.
The initiative seeks to give continuity to the agreements reached and consolidate a bilateral relationship focused on trade, investment, security, tourism and regional cooperation.
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