HAVANA, July 3 (Xinhuanet) -- Caribbean countries are expected to restore ties with Haiti's interim government at the 25th the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) meeting in Grenadaon July 4-7, according to reports from Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti.

    Haitian Prime Minister Gerard Latortue announced Saturday that his country will attend the annual summit, saying Haitian people wants to normalize the relations with the Caribbean countries.

    Haiti's interim government temporarily suspended the country's membership in Caricom on March 15 in protest of the 15-member bloc's hesitance to recognize the new leadership after ousted President Jean-Bertrand Aristide left the country on February 29.

    Haitian Foreign Minister Yvon Simeon said he was to meet with seven Caribbean prime ministers Saturday night as a step toward possible recognition by the Caribbean countries.

    Simeon, who has already had talks with those countries' foreign ministers, said he was optimistic about restoring ties.

    "There have been a lot of misunderstandings and misinterpretations. We're willing to clarify these for CARICOM," he said.

    Simeon departed to Grenada on Friday to take part in the meeting.

    Haiti was the last nation to formally join the CARICOM in 2002.Its eight-million population is greater than all the remaining 14 member states combined.

    At the four-day summit, CARICOM will discuss such issues as the struggling sugar industry, progress in establishing a European-style single market and a regional court to replace Britain's Privy Council. Enditem