Haiti, Dominican Republic tensions ease on marathon talks

Santo Domingo.-Dominican Republic’s government maintains its position on the ConstitutionalCourt ruling that affects thousands of people of Haitian descent, as talks withHaiti resumed Tuesday with the immigration issue at the center of the meetingbetween senior officials of the Hispaniola nations.

Haitiacknowledged Dominican Republic’s right to set immigration policy and rules toissue nationality and requested guarantees to protect the rights of people ofHaitian descent, which Dominican representatives agreed to.

Ina joint statement, the Dominican government also announced "additionallegislation to respond to all cases not covered by the regularization plan."in the coming weeks.

Thestatement was read by Dominican Presidency chief of staff Gustavo Montalvo andHaiti Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe, who led the talks agreed to by the leadersof both countries in December.

Themeeting held at the offices of the Codevi industrial park, in the Haitian townof Ouanaminthe, began around noon and lasted over seven hours.

Inthe joint statement read in French and in Spanish, Haiti pledged to issuepassports to its migrant workers so the Dominican government can issue themwork visas, whereas the Dominican delegation “agreed to evaluate this request.

DominicanRepublic has assured that the ruling will be enforced respecting human rights,but Haiti fears the measure will affect the Haitians born in Dominicanterritory.