Brussels, 21/10/2005 (Agence Europe) - At the European Commission on Friday, the international meeting of fund donors and others engaged in the stabilisation of Haiti (EUROPE 9053) - the last meeting before the presidential and legislative meetings in December - was an obvious success. Progress accomplished by the transitional government under Haiti's Prime Minister Latortue and the assurances that the latter gave concerning ongoing efforts convinced the international community to confirm its commitment in favour of a country that, in just a matter of months, has escaped the risk of social implosion and civil war. Louis Michel told the press that he congratulated the transitional government and especially Mr Latortue for having put the country back on the road to normalisation. With his courage and determination, he has, Louis Michel said, shown the way, together with the active assistance of the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the OEA, that should also be congratulated. Mr Michel recalled that, with EUR 294 million, the EU covers 30% of the needs of the interim cooperation framework. Naturally insecurity remains a concern and “considerably slows down economic recovery and restoration of the State”, he said. It is also essential to consolidate acquis with good governance measures but one should bear in mind that Haiti has come a long way, the Commissioner stressed. The EUR 72 million made available by the Commission out of the 9th EDF resources are earmarked for supporting democracy and good governance. “We were asked to give direct budgetary support and I accepted this request with a minimum of EUR 10 million”, Louis Michel announced. This is without counting the 18 million in financial support for the electoral process and the imminent despatch of an electoral observer mission for which the Commission is now preparing.
Mr Latortue thanked Louis Michel, the United Nations and the donor community for their solidarity. He said that “in coming to Brussels, I had set myself several goals: reasserting the commitments taken by Haiti in July, calming some of the concerns of the international community with respect to the organisation of elections, and transmission of power on 7 February and security issues”. He said all these objectives have now been attained. The Prime Minister gave his assurance that the first round of presidential and legislative elections will take place during the first two weeks of December and the second round mid-January, at the same time as local elections.
The fact that there are 3.2 million voters who have registered augurs well, he believes, for the “credibility” of the ballot. The Prime Minister also expressed confidence in the country's ability to reduce the “pockets of insecurity” with measures adopted since July and the forthcoming deployment of “Purple Noon” Jordanian troops.