PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti – The foreign ministers of Haiti and the Dominica Republic have held talks that focused on border security, combating illicit economic activities, migration issues, formalizing trade and investment, and expanding air links, according to an official statement issued here.
It said that Foreign Minister Raina Forbin met her Dominican Republic counterpart, Víctor O. Bisonó Haza at the CODEVI Industrial Park in Ounaminthe that sits directly on the border with the Dominican Republic, separated by the Massacre River.
According to the statement, the two ministers agreed on the need to strengthen cooperation mechanisms to improve border governance and migration management, while respecting the interests of both countries.
It said that both delegations also emphasized the importance of continued international support for the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), an international police and military force approved by the United Nations Security Council on October 2, 2023 to assist the Haitian government in restoring law and order amid worsening civil strife and gang violence.
The statement said that the meeting agreed to continue their efforts to raise awareness regarding the full deployment of the GSF as well as the renewal of its mandate, in order to support the Haitian authorities in restoring security, strengthening institutions, and creating conditions conducive to lasting peace.
Regarding the Dominican consular operations in Haiti, both parties expressed their commitment to achieving their normalization as soon as possible, once security conditions allow for their proper functioning in the relevant jurisdictions.
Following the meeting, the two delegations met with representatives of the private sector and the statement said that the discussions focused on developing productive activities, creating jobs, boosting economic exchange, and the role of the private sector in strengthening relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
“Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining active bilateral dialogue as the preferred channel for addressing issues of common interest, in a spirit of mutual respect, cooperation, and good neighbourlines,” the statement noted.
