France, April 17 -- French President Emmanuel Macron has announced he intends to set up a joint Franco-Haitian commission to examine France's history with its former colony and itsimpact on the country's development since its independence - notably the demand that Haiti pay France reparations to compensate slave-owners for their losses, in return for recognition.

"This decision placed a price on the freedom of a young nation, which was confronted with the unjust force of history from the moment it was founded," said Macron, in a statement released on Thursday.

"Today, on this bicentenary, we must... look history in the face. Haiti was born of a revolution... which boldly affirmed the universal principles of Liberty, Equality and Fratern...