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PORT AU PRINCE, Haiti, September 29, 2017 (CMC) – Canada says it will continue to work with Haiti to clearly define its priorities and to meet its financial and institutional commitments.
Newly appointed Canadian Ambassador to the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country, André Frenette, said Canada promotes inclusion, respect for diversity and human rights, gender equality, openness to the world, democratic development that supports the strengthening of the middle classes, and assistance to the poor.
“It is on the basis of these values that I intend to work tirelessly to build strong and respectful partnerships between Canada and Haiti, with the aim of strengthening the historic relationship between our two countries,” he said.
He said Canada has repeatedly demonstrated a willingness “to walk hand in hand” with Haitians and, after various consultations with Haitian authorities, Ottawa is prepared to “step up our efforts in areas of democratic and accountable governance, sustainable and green economic growth, health and well-being of women and girls, and the rule of law and security”.
He recalled that in June this year, Canada launched its new policy of international feminist assistance, placing gender equality and empowerment of women at the heart of its development programming.
“We support the development of a stable, prosperous and equitable Haitian state that can provide health services, education and economic opportunities to all Haitians, especially women and girls,” the diplomat said, adding that he is already looking forward to working on these key themes, during the years of his mandate in Haiti, “which will require serious and responsible commitments from all concerned”.
“To ensure that this assistance continues to deliver on the expected results, Canada will count on the government of Haiti’s continued efforts to clearly define its priorities and to meet its financial and institutional commitments,” he added.
