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Statement by the Prime Minister of Haiti and the Secretary General of the Organization of American States on Haiti/OAS Bilateral Cooperation

The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Haiti, H.E. Laurent S. Lamothe and the Secretary General of the Organization of American States, H.E. José Miguel Insulza met at the OAS Headquarters in Washington, DC on Tuesday 24 July, 2012. During the meeting, the Prime Minister and the Secretary General recognized the successful levels of co-operation between the OAS and the Republic of Haiti, and reaffirmed their commitment to continue strengthening collaboration.

On behalf of President Michel J. Martelly and the people of Haiti, Prime Minister Lamothe conveyed sincere thanks to the OAS for its continued support and strengthening of Haiti’s democratic institutions and renewed his government’s commitment to effective governance and the rule of law in Haiti.

Prime Minister Lamothe and the Secretary General along with their delegations also discussed extensively the holding of upcoming parliamentary and municipal elections in Haiti, and expressed the need for the Permanent Electoral Council, once established, to announce a timetable for the holding of these elections. They agreed to explore areas and means of support which could be provided by the Organization of American States to Haiti’s electoral institutions. The Prime Minister also acknowledged the work of the OAS/CIDA civil registry program in Haiti, reaffirmed his government’s support for this program and stated that his government was counting on OAS support for the implementation of the second phase of the project.

The Secretary General renewed the commitment of the OAS to continue supporting the Haitian people and their legitimate authorities. He restated the willingness of the OAS to continue the higher education program for Haitian professionals and the process of civil registration for Haitians, so that the state can guarantee each citizen’s right to an identity document and to vote.

The Prime Minister and the Secretary General also jointly pledged to support the initiatives of the Group of Friends of Haiti and the Haiti Task Force as mechanisms for strengthening ties between Haiti and the OAS.

Prime Minister Lamothe delivered an official letter to the Secretary General reiterating the decision by the Republic of Haiti to host the forty-fifth regular session of the OAS General Assembly in early June 2015.

Secretary General Insulza and Prime Minister Lamothe both reaffirmed their dedication to the democratic and social values, enshrined in the OAS Democratic Charter to ensure that the social and political rights of all citizens in the Western Hemisphere are respected.

Signed in Washington, on Tuesday, July 24, 2012.

For more information, please visit the OAS Website at www.oas.org.

Reference: E-266/12