The French President François Hollande was welcomed around 10:30 am on the tarmac at Toussaint Louverture International Airport, by the President Michel Martelly, then the fanfare of the National Palace interpreted the Dessalinienne then the Marseillaise.

"I wish, on behalf of the Haitian people, a warm welcome to President Francois Hollande. This visit to Haiti is a token of friendship and brotherhood between the two countries. I agree with President Hollande to strengthen the historical and cultural ties between our countries," said Michel Martelly.

Then they headed to the Champ de Mars, where they arrived around 11:15 am, in his speech for the occasion the President of Haiti said that the road ahead is longer and more promising than already covered and that Haiti is taking the initiative to extend a brotherly hand to France and that the time for bitterness for Haiti is long past, noting that France has a special place in the heart of all Haitians.

Extract from the speech of President Martelly :

"[...] The Republic of Haiti is deeply moved and honored to welcome you today [...] the date of May 12, 2015 will remain forever engraved in our memories as one of the first official visit of a french head of State on Haitian soil. On behalf of the Haitian people as a whole I present to you and the entire delegation that accompany you, a warm welcome.

This moment in truth is historic in several ways.

HHistory, as it seals the reunion between the two peoples after a long period of misunderstanding and denies marked by innuendoes and misunderstandings.

This day makes sense in the common experience of our two peoples. A lived to which he returns to us today to give another sense that we both struggled to assume, but which strongly recalls our common history.

These reunions indeed, marks the rebirth of a brotherhood born of a common hope inherited of lights.

Historical finally, because it allows us to turn together in a responsible mannerbut calmed and in serenity on this painful past that belongs to our common history and which is the basis of our identity.

[...]

France by your voice has agreed to reconsider its past and look with lucidity and responsibility, this decision raises you and honor you Mr. President.

[...] you have with exceptional realism assumed the role and responsibility of France and I assure you that Haiti will remember that François Hollande had the courage to come to the Caribbean and to say beyond the traditional divisions, that if we can not change history, that history changes us !

Together we can achieve great things in this corner of the world.

Vive la France, Vive Haiti, Long live to the friendship Franco-Haitian.

Thank you."

Full speech of Michel Martelly :

Full speech of François Hollande :

HL/ HaitiLibre