Brussels, 30/03/2005 (Agence Europe) - On an official visit to Haiti on 28 and 29 March, European Development and Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Louis Michel reiterated the EU's commitment to the political transition process and to holding presidential elections before the end of the year in a climate of security and with broad participation by citizens. “The EU is and will be involved in Haiti with significant resources right through the rehabilitation phase”, said Mr Michel, pointing out the necessity of keeping to the electoral calendar and “generating a spirit of national communion so that all Haitian citizens feel involved”. Mr Michel also paid tribute to the “bravery” with which the Haitian President and Prime Minister Boniface Alexandre and Gérard Latortue had undertaken the necessary political and economic reform, inter alia on good governance, that has allowed the stability of the country to be ensured and work to be resumed with international institutions, the IMF and the World Bank. Mr Michel also spoke to the UN Special Representative in Haiti, Juan Gabriel Valdes, with whom he discussed the practical aspects of organising the elections and questions linked to security and disarmament on the island, and he expressed his support for the efforts of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Mr Michel also visited Gonaïves, which was hit by Tropical Storm Jeanne in September 2004, with local authorities and partner NGOs of ECHO (the EU's Humanitarian Aid Office), for an on the ground survey of aid actions for the area. The EU is the biggest aid donor in Haiti and has committed 294 million EUR over three years, of which 10 million EUR have been earmarked for supporting the electoral process. ECHO has provided finance of 14.9 million EUR to humanitarian actions in Haiti since the beginning of 2004.