Port-au-Prince, February 7th, 2016: The Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations and members of the international community in Haiti, represented in the ‘Core Group’ (the Ambassadors of Brazil, Canada, France, Spain, the United States of America, the European Union and the Special Representative of the Organization of American States) welcome the conclusion of a "Political Agreement for institutional continuity upon the end of the term of office of the President of the Republic and in the absence of a President-elect and for the continuation of the 2015 electoral process."

 This Agreement marks a crucial step in the search for a solution to the political challenges facing Haiti. The ‘Core Group’ notes that the Agreement will not only allow for the stabilization of the country’s institutions, but also for completion of the electoral process, with the second round of presidential elections, partial legislative and local elections to be held on April 24th, 2016. 

The ‘Core Group’ welcomes the spirit of compromise which facilitated a solution in keeping with the Constitution of the Republic of Haiti. The “Core Group” invites the actors concerned to implement all the commitments entered into, especially the election of a Provisional President of the Republic, the appointment of a Prime Minister, as well as the continuation of the electoral process within the timeframes indicated. 

The ‘Core Group’ trusts that all actors will keep the best interests of Haiti and its people above all other considerations, in the spirit of dialogue and compromise, and reaffirms the importance of carrying out the terms of the political Agreement in a climate of serenity, free from violence.