The incoming Barack Obama administration in the United States has pledged to work closely with the region, stating that good relations would be mutually beneficial. Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton told a confirmation hearing Tuesday, before the US Senate's Foreign Relations Committee, that it is significant both sides improve relations for their mutual benefit. Ms. Clinton said she was looking forward to the Summit of the Americas, to be held in April, in Trinidad and Tobago, while adopting Obama's call for a new energy partnership. Ms. Clinton said she was deeply concerned about the status quo in Haiti, noting that the French-speaking CARICOM member state is one of the poorest nations in the world. She also reiterated Obama's vow to lift family travel and remittance restrictions to Cuba, while commending the President-elect for his "very wise insight" on this matter. CARICOM has repeatedly called for the lifting of the economic and trade embargo against Cuba, joining a number of countries and experts from around the world in condemning Washington's stance. Reprinted from radioja.com