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THE ITALIAN LEGACY IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
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1941
•
The Dominican National Congress issues Decree No. 634 on December 13, 1941, authorizing the
President of the Republic to declare war on the Kingdom of Italy, in solidarity with the United States.
1946
•
Minister Plenipotentiary Porfirio Herrera Báez is sent to Italy by [Rafael Leónidas] Trujillo with the
intent of strengthening relations between both nations. Reports from the era indicate that he received a warm
welcome from the Italian government.
1962
•
The Dominican ambassador to Germany, Jaime E. Ricart, sends a message to the Dominican Secre-
tary of Foreign Affairs. The communication provided an analysis of trade relations between Europe and the
Dominican Republic. Italy represented one of the most important coffee markets in Europe; however, the
Dominican Republic had serious competitors in terms of quality and quantity. A strong recommendation for
the redoubling of trade agreements is made.
1964
•
Capital guaranteed investments agreement. Memo No. 983 of April 3 sought the government’s
approval for the issuance of a bulletin that guaranteed the safety of all investments made in the Dominican Re-
public. The goal was to spread knowledge of the capital investments agreement made with the United States
worldwide, so that similar agreements could be formalized with Italy, France, Spain and Germany.
1969
•
On February 22, Ambassador Enrique de Marchena writes to Dr. Fernando Amiama Tió, Secretary
of Foreign Affairs, of the commercial roadblocks in some European countries, particularly Italy, Spain and
France. Underscoring the harm that these roadblocks could bring to the Dominican Republic, he recommends
the negotiation of new bilateral and multilateral trade agreements.
1972
•
On June 5, Italian Ambassador Carlos Perrone Capano writes to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs of
the Italian government’s interest in establishing a new bilateral trade agreement, using Article 113 of the Trea-
ty of Rome as its general framework.
On June 12, the Italian ambassador writes once more to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Víctor Gómez
Bergés. In his message, he bids farewell, for his diplomatic mission had come to a close, but reiterates his gov-
ernment’s interest in establishing a new trade agreement between both nations.
1978
•
A bilateral, civilian open skies agreement is signed between both countries during President Joaquín
Balaguer’s tenure.
1983
•
A new bilateral economic cooperation agreement is signed to reinforce economic relations between
nations during President Salvador Jorge Blanco’s tenure.
1990
•
A bilateral economic cooperation memorandum is issued by Rome. Its purpose was to strengthen
and further the extent of the cooperative relation between both countries, with an emphasis on the channeling
of extraordinary aid to the Dominican Republic by Italy.
1999
•
During President Leonel Fernández’ tenure, a new Joint Declaration is signed in Rome with the goal
of strengthening Italy’s role in providing developmental aid.
2004
•
President Hipólito Mejía issues an executive decree on August 4, declaring December 5 to be “Na-
tional Italian Immigrant Day.” This date was chosen, because December 5, 1492, is the date on which Christo-
pher Columbus—who was born in the Italian city of Genoa—first reached the shores of Hispaniola.