In his address to the OAS General Assembly, Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez emphasized the need for stricter border controls and international cooperation to stem the flow of illegal weapons into Haiti, which often end up in the hands of criminal organizations.
Álvarez called for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions 2653 and 2699, which aim to strengthen the arms embargo on Haiti. “The illicit arms trade poses a serious threat to the security of both the Dominican Republic and the wider region, as has been highlighted by the Foreign Minister of Jamaica,” Álvarez stated. “Given the proliferation of these weapons in the hands of violent criminal groups in neighboring Haiti, we must effectively combat this grave problem.”
The Dominican Foreign Minister reiterated that citizen security is a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable development, emphasizing that economic growth and social well-being cannot be achieved without a secure environment.
On the sidelines of the OAS Assembly, Foreign Minister Roberto Alvarez took advantage of the opportunity to meet with newly appointed Haitian Foreign Minister Dominique Dupuy Dupuy and discussed the security situation in both countries.
The meeting was the first between Dupuy and Álvarez. The two ministers discussed the challenges faced by both nations and reportedly explored avenues for collaboration.
The Ministry of Foreign Relations press release stated that the meeting between the Haitian and Dominican foreign ministers underscores the importance of regional cooperation in addressing shared security challenges. The discussions held during the OAS General Assembly are expected to pave the way for concrete actions to enhance security and stability in both Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
The OAS General Assembly opened on Wednesday 26 June 2024 under the theme “Integrity and Security for the Development of the Region,” and reportedly provided a platform for high-level discussions on pressing regional issues.
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Diario Libre
Ministry of Foreign Relations
1 July 2024