SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic, (CMC) – President Luis Abinader says the Dominican Republic “neither sought or wanted this conflict” with Haiti as the two countries continue to be at odds over the construction of an irrigation canal in the French-speaking country.

The two countries make up the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, but two weeks ago, the Dominican Republic closed its land, air and sea borders with Haiti as a result of what it described as Port au Prince’s unilateral decision to construct the canal.

Water for the canal comes from the Massacre River which flows between the two countries.

Speaking at a news conference, Abinader said the Spanish-speaking country does not want any conflict with its French neighbour.

“We neither sought nor wanted this conflict, but it was presented to us and we had to act,” Abinader told reporters at his weekly news conference, adding “there was no other alternative to maintain national security”.

He told reporters that the closure of the maritime, air and land border was for some, an “arbitrary and drastic” measure, but he described it as “necessary”.

He said given the long-standing relationship between the two countries, Haiti should have decided on another option regarding the construction of the canal and that Santo Domingo remains “open to dialogue” with Haiti on the matter.

Abinader raised the possibility of relaxing some of the measures put in place without providing any specifics.

“After putting the La Vigía canal urgently in service, in two or three weeks we will see the possibility of relaxing certain measures. I’ll tell you from now on, the Dominican border will never be the same. It will never be the same again depending on these events but also the situations that will arise in Haiti,” he added.

Earlier this week, the Organization of American States said it had initiated consultations with the authorities of Haiti and the Dominican Republic regarding the dispute, noting that “water resources are vital for both, given the needs of its inhabitants, especially in the current context of drought. This use must be ensured in accordance with international law and the treaties in force between both countries.

Meanwhile, the Specialized Land Border Security Corps said more than 61,000 Haitians have returned to their homeland either voluntarily or repatriated, 12 days after the closure of the borders.