April 29, 2008
No. 101
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Maxime Bernier, today made the following statement after the nomination of a new prime minister by Haitian president René Préval:
"Canada welcomes this first step in forming a new government in Haiti, in keeping with the provisions of the Haitian constitution. As I observed during my visit to Haiti, good governance and respect for democratic principles will be necessary for continuing stabilization and reconstruction in Haiti.
"Canada urges the Haitian authorities to continue their efforts to establish an effective and transparent government, one that will contribute to strengthening governance, revitalizing the economy and combatting corruption.
"On April 28, 2008, President Préval nominated Ericq Pierre as prime minister. Mr. Pierre is currently an advisor for Haiti with the Inter-American Development Bank. This nomination must now be confirmed by a vote in both houses of the Haitian parliament. The decision comes after two weeks of consultations following the dismissal of Jacques-Édouard Alexis by the Senate, and at a time when the country is faced with a serious food crisis."
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