On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, on the occasion of the French National Day, Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé attended the official reception organized by the French Embassy in Haiti at the Montana Hotel.

The ceremony took place in the presence of, among others, Raina Forbin, Minister of Foreign Affairs, members of the government, the French Ambassador to Haiti, Antoine Michon, the Spanish Ambassador to Haiti, Marco Antonio Peñín Toledano, the European Union Ambassador, Hélène Roos, as well as numerous figures from the diplomatic corps and civil society.

In his address, Ambassador Antoine Michon praised the excellent Franco-Haitian relations and highlighted the efforts undertaken by the Haitian government to restore security, strengthen institutions, and create the conditions for a lasting return to democratic order.

Speaking to the crowd, the Prime Minister paid a heartfelt tribute to the French people and the universal values ​​embodied by the French Revolution.

Text of the Prime Minister's speech :

"Today, I stand before you not to perform a mere formality. I am here to rekindle with you the sacred flame of human emancipation. This timeless spirit that, throughout the centuries, guides peoples in their quest for freedom, dignity, and justice.

Some dates belong to a Nation, others become part of humanity's heritage. July 14th is one of these. This date resonates with a singular force in the Haitian soul. In 1789, the spirit of the Bastille crossed the oceans. In 1804, by breaking the chains of slavery to found the world's first free Black republic, our ancestors gave freedom its most absolute meaning.

July 14th reminds us that no society can prosper without freedom, that no authority can be imposed without popular legitimacy, and that no future can be built without dignity. Strengthened by this shared memory, the Haitian Government solemnly joins in the national holiday of the French Republic. We salute these ideals, which remain our common compass : Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.

Mr. Ambassador, please convey to the President of the French Republic, his Government, and the French people the warm wishes and fraternal greetings of the Haitian nation.

Ladies and Gentlemen, France and Haiti are bound by a unique history that transcends the mere legacy of the past. From this history, sometimes fraught but always fruitful, stems a shared responsibility: to prioritize dialogue over division and cooperation over legacy and discord. It is in this spirit that I welcome the establishment of the Franco-Haitian Joint Commission of Historians dedicated to addressing the dual debt of independence. By choosing historical truth, scientific rigor, and mutual respect, our two countries demonstrate that memory can be a force for reconciliation and a powerful lever for building the future.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Haiti looks to the future with confidence. Our youth, our diaspora, our cultural vitality, and our strategic location are considerable assets. Together, we can build a cooperation more focused on investment, job creation, innovation, and knowledge. Faithful to the principles of multilateralism, international law, and dialogue between peoples, France and Haiti will continue to work together for a safer, more stable, and more prosperous Caribbean.

I am convinced that our two nations are today entering a new phase in their relationship. A phase founded on trust, responsibility, and shared ambition.

Trials belong to history; hope belongs to the future. May our cooperation continue to offer our people greater security and greater prosperity.

Thank you."

HL/ HaitiLibre