Tuesaday, Representatives of countries from across the Hemisphere met at the informal gathering of the Group of Friends of Haiti in at the headquarters of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Washington, DC this week to engage in dialogue on developments in the country.

The meeting was chaired by the Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, Albert Ramdin, and included presentations from the Permanent Representative of Haiti to the Organization, Bocchit Edmond, representatives of OAS member states, officials from the General Secretariat and Sandra Honoré, the Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah).

According to Ambassador Ramdin, "Progress and development are evident in Haiti and it is our hope that all stakeholders, including political forces, work together on key issues." Acknowledging that partial Senate elections are overdue, Ramdin said, "This is a matter which can be resolved by the main political stakeholders. I urge cooperation on the passage of the electoral law, in the interest of democracy and economic development."

Briefing the Group of Friends, Mrs. Honoré expressed the hope that, as agreed, elections would be held in 2014. "I urge political actors to rise above their differences and reach consensus in the highest interest of the nation, to ensure the holding of elections in 2014," who also called on the Senate to "vote without further delay on the amendments to the electoral law, a prerequisite for the organization of elections."

Earlier in the meeting, the representative of the Government of Haiti, Ambassador Bocchit Edmond reiterated that "The Government of Haiti remains committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure continued growth and progress in the country."

HL/ HaitiLibre