Above: Haiti President Michel Martelly

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Haiti’s President, Michel Martelly, is congratulating incoming French President Francois Hollande on his victory in the second round of the country’s elections Sunday.

Martelly said he took the opportunity to extend his best wishes to Hollande upon assuming the position.

Martelly said Haiti reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining and strengthening the “cordial” relations “that have always characterized the history of both countries,” he said in a statement from the National Palace.

The President said he hoped that France’s commitment to Haiti, through bilateral cooperation, would continue under the new administration.

Martelly’s call followed that of another Caribbean island, Guadeloupe, in praising the victory.

Victorin Lurel, the head of Guadeloupe’s Regional Council, managed Hollande’s overseas campaign.

Hollande’s victory was boosted by a particularly strong showing in France’s overseas departments.