Joint statement by Canada and the Dominican Republic

June 21 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Canada and the Dominican Republic (DR) have solid bilateral relations and are long standing partners including on regional security matters.

As underlined during President Abinader and Prime Minister Trudeau’s bilateral call last March 30, Canada and the DR are committed to strengthening their cooperation to help address the ongoing crisis in Haiti, with a view to supporting Haitian-owned and Haitian-led solutions for a return to stability.

Both countries recognize that restoring stability to Haiti will reduce the significant burden on the Dominican Republic, its sole land neighbor, including social pressure and budget strains placed on the Dominican social services.

Both countries agree that the scale of the crisis in Haiti requires enhanced international development cooperation, humanitarian, and security assistance. This includes capacity building through providing equipment, technical assistance, and training.

Both countries recognize that efforts are already underway in Haiti through the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and through the deployment of additional resources by Canada and other partners, including through Canada's recent announcement of an additional $100 million.

Both countries acknowledge that the Dominican Republic has collaborated with the requests of Haitian authorities to consolidate security in that country, facilitate access to strategic goods such as fuel, and support the security of international diplomatic personnel stationed in Haiti, among other measures. Similarly, both countries recognize ongoing cooperation between governments of the region and the Haitian authorities including the United Nations as well as efforts led by the United States, CARICOM and others, with the aim of restoring the rule of law in Haiti and alleviating food insecurity in the country.

Canada and the DR are committed to continuing to work together and with the international community to support a Haitian-led long-term solution to the ongoing crisis. We will enhance coordination in Haiti, DR, Canada and other locations as required including through increased presence at the Canadian embassies in Port-au-Prince and Santo Domingo.