Preval 'delighted' at Haiti's return to CARICOM

Monday, June 26, 2006

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti: Newly elected President of Haiti, René Preval has expressed delight at Haiti's resumption of formal arrangements with the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The Secretary-General brought Preval up to date on current issues in the Community. He also briefed him on the preparations for the forthcoming 27th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.

In addressing the agenda for that meeting scheduled for St Kitts and Nevis from 3-6 July, 2006, Carrington told Preval that the Community was looking forward to the Haitian leader's participation in the meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government.

Preval indicated that he too was eager for Haiti to resume its place in the Councils of CARICOM and requested that a team from the Community come to Haiti immediately after the Meeting of the Conference to work with officials there on facilitating and providing support for Haiti's resumption of its participation in the operations of the Community.

The Secretary-General assured Preval of the full support of the rest of CARICOM for his efforts in pursuit of the development of Haiti - CARICOM's newest Member State. He confirmed that the Community would be ready to lend any assistance it can in such areas as determined by Haiti.

Preval touched on certain areas of immediate concerns, some which were outside the formal CARICOM structure, including the Universities of the Community.