In a significant step toward normalizing relations, Haitian and Dominican diplomatic officials met today at the CODEVI industrial park in the border zone and agreed to reopen the airspace between the two countries starting May 1, 2026.
The meeting brought together delegations from Haiti’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Worship (MAEC) and the Dominican Republic’s Ministry of External Relations (MIREX). Held on the Haitian side of the border at the CODEVI free-trade zone, the discussions aimed to revive bilateral cooperation on key shared priorities.
According to a joint statement released after the talks, the encounter builds on the landmark Joint Declaration signed on January 10, 2021, in Elías Piña by then-Presidents Jovenel Moïse and Luis Abinader. That document outlined a nine-point roadmap that continues to guide relations between the two nations.
The Haitian government, led by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé, expressed its commitment to strengthening dialogue with its neighbor “in a spirit of mutual understanding and full respect for the sovereignty of both states.”
Key Outcome: Airspace Reopening
A major concrete result of the meeting was the decision to lift the suspension of commercial air links. Starting May 1, 2026, flights will resume between Cap-Haïtien International Airport in northern Haiti and various airports in the Dominican Republic. Officials described the move as a way to boost people-to-people mobility, stimulate economic ties, and deepen overall bilateral relations.
Focus on Security and Cooperation
Beyond aviation, the two sides held what they described as a “frank and constructive” exchange on several pressing issues, with particular emphasis on border security. Discussions covered enhanced mechanisms for joint control and surveillance of the shared frontier, as well as migration management and trade exchanges.
Both delegations also thanked the international community — especially the United Nations and the Gang Repression Force (FRG) — for supporting Haitian authorities in their efforts to restore peace, institutional stability, and security for the population.
Commitment to Ongoing Dialogue
At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties reaffirmed that open and continuous bilateral dialogue remains the best path to address common challenges. They pledged to maintain this channel “in a framework of mutual respect, good neighborliness, and full compliance with international law.”
Delegations
Haitian delegation, led by Foreign Minister Raina Forbin, included:
- Ambassador Emmanuel Fritz Longchamp (Haiti’s envoy to the Dominican Republic)
- Chief of Staff Winnie Hugot Gabriel
- Director of Political Affairs Jean-Claude Lappé
- Director of Dominican Affairs Yves Rody Jean
Dominican delegation, headed by Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez, included: - Vice-Minister for Multilateral Foreign Policy Rubén Silié
- Vice-Minister for Bilateral Foreign Policy Francisco Caraballo
- Ambassador Faruk Miguel (Dominican envoy to Haiti)
- Director of Strategic Studies and Analysis Emil Chireno
- Legal Director Boni Guerrero
- Adviser Jatzel Román
This meeting marks a notable thaw in relations that had been strained in recent years, signaling a renewed willingness on both sides to tackle shared concerns through diplomacy rather than confrontation.
