Canada Encourages Haitian Senate Vote

Canada Encourages Haitian Senate Vote
Last update: 6:39 p.m. EDT Sept. 1, 2008

OTTAWA, ONTARIO, Sep 01, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) --
The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement on the upcoming Haitian Senate vote on the General Policy Declaration of Prime Minister Michele Duvivier Pierre-Louis:
"Canada is pleased to learn that the Chamber of Deputies has voted in favour of Prime Minister Pierre-Louis' General Policy Declaration. This is an important step in forming a new government in Haiti.
"Canada hopes that the Haitian Senate will also approve the Declaration, so that Haiti will at long last have a government in place to address the many challenges facing the Haitian people. We hope to work with this new government as part of our continued efforts toward the democratization, stabilization and reconstruction of Haiti, which will benefit all Haitians. Unfortunately, these efforts have been hampered by the political and institutional crisis that has persisted in the country for over four months.
"Haiti is Canada's second largest aid recipient and a key priority for Canada's engagement in the Americas. Ensuring political stability and promoting the public interest are vital if institutions are to work effectively and the country is to thrive."
For more information, see "Canada Pleased with Ratification of Haiti's New Prime Minister" at: http://w01.international.gc.ca/minpub/Publication.aspx?isRedirect=True&publication_id=386418&Language=E&docnumber=170.
Contacts:
Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
Lynn Meahan
Press Secretary
613-995-1851

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Foreign Affairs Media Relations Office
613-995-1874
www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx



SOURCE: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
http://www.international.gc.ca/index.aspx

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