WASHINGTON (CMC):

The Organisation of American States (OAS) says it will continue to support "important projects" in Haiti, including efforts to strengthen democratic rule on the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

The pledge was made by OAS Assistant Secretary-General Albert R. Ramdin during a meeting with visiting Haitian Prime Minister Jacques-douard Alexis earlier this week.

An OAS statement quoted the Prime Minister as expressing his country's gratitude to the OAS for its "long-standing support".

"We are encouraged by the strengthening of those ties," Alexis said, referring to the cooperation between Haiti and the OAS, and underscoring the importance of the OAS's role over the years.

Towards promoting constitutional order

The OAS statement said that such assistance included help in promoting the return to constitutional order and the organisation's support toward the successful holding of elections.

Alexis' visit was "an expression of the continued strong commitment between the OAS and Haiti," the statement said, pointing out that the OAS would continue supporting "important projects" in the country.

He said the OAS would offer assistance to Haiti with its civil registry and production and distribution of identification cards, as well as strengthening the electoral system and electoral machinery.

Ramdin, who chairs the OAS Haiti Task Force, said Alexis' visit enabled both parties to discuss, "in a wider context, the relationship between the OAS and Haiti; the importance of the security environment; and the promotion of a more positive image of Haiti as a country with opportunities for investment and economic growth".