April 14, 2008
Presidents of Mexico and Ecuador Define Domestic and International Issues
Presidency
of the Republic
At the invitation of Mexican President Felipe Calderón, President of Ecuador Rafael Correa Delgado paid an official
visit to Mexico on April 11 and 12, 2008.
In an atmosphere of cordiality and understanding, the two leaders reviewed the main issues on the bilateral agenda
and repeated their willingness to expand political dialogue, economic and trade links, and cooperation between Ecuador and
Mexico.
Regarding the international agenda, they exchanged points of view on issues of mutual interest in both the regional
and world sphere.
At the end of their talks, Presidents Felipe Calderón and Rafael Correa Delgado agreed to issue the following:
JOINT STATEMENT
Political Affairs
1. The Presidents of Mexico and Ecuador hailed the excellent state of relations between the two countries.
2. We agree on the importance of continuing to strengthen links between the governments and peoples of both countries.
3. We repeat our wish to expand political dialog, promote cooperation, and expand trade and investment flows within
the framework of mutual respect and full compliance with international law and the laws of each country. Within this context,
we hail the Second Meeting of the Consultation Mechanism on Matters of Mutual Interest between Mexico and Ecuador, held on
April 9 and 10 in this city, and we agreed that the Third Meeting of the Mechanism will be held in Ecuador in 2009, on a date
to be determined by diplomatic means.
4. We confirm our governments’ strict adherence to the universal values of democracy and human rights, respect
for international law, sovereignty, territorial integrity and the non-interference in the internal affairs of other states.
5. The Mexican President expressed hope for success in the process involving the drafting of a new Constitution
of Ecuador, undertaken by the National Assembly as a result of the popular mandate of the referendum carried out in April
2007, and expressed hope that the new Constitution, which will have to be approved by Ecuadorian citizens, will reinforce
national democracy and institutionalism, and promote an atmosphere of peace and stability for the well-being and progress
of the Ecuadorian people.
6. The two leaders highlighted the validity of the founding principles of the Río Group and its value in regional
political agreement, as borne out on March 7, 2008 during the Santo Domingo Summit and the adoption of the "Declaration on
recent events between Ecuador and Colombia rejecting the violation of Ecuador's national sovereignty and confirming the regional
consensus regarding peace, security and stability in Latin America and the Caribbean.”
The President of Ecuador repeated his gratitude to the President of Mexico for his wholehearted contribution to
the adoption of this declaration. The Mexican President expressed his satisfaction over the results achieved at the summit,
which contributed to the success of the 25th Consultation Meeting of the Chancellors of the Organization of American States
(OAS).
We repeat our total support of the contents and mandates of the Resolution unanimously adopted on March 17, 2008
by the 25th Consultation of the OAS Ministers of Foreign Affairs, which rejected the violation of Ecuadorian sovereignty and
repeated the hemisphere's commitment to the basic principles of respect for sovereignty and non-interference with states'
internal affairs and regional cooperation against groups outside the law; and entrusted the Secretary General of the OAS to
make every effort to comply with this Resolution and contribute to the creation of a climate of trust that will normalize
relations between Ecuador and Colombia.
We both support the efforts of the OAS Secretary General and hope that they will constitute a starting point for
a renewed bilateral relationship between Ecuador and Colombia that will preserve the interests of the two countries, with
respect for their sovereignty and territorial integrity; promote the development of a positive binational agenda in the economic,
social and cultural fields; and encourage cooperation in the field of security and fighting organized crime, with respect
for international law and the laws of each country.
We send our condolences to the families of our fellow countrymen who lost their lives on March 1, 2008 who, beyond
personal circumstances, enjoy rights protected by our respective laws and we express the will of our governments to support,
as far as possible, their demands for justice, and in this respect, to ensure that the investigations undertaken by the judicial
authorities on these unfortunate events are completed as soon as possible.
7. We agreed to undertake coordinated actions within the framework of regional and sub-regional mechanisms and
organizations to which both countries belong, and particularly to play an active role in the Río Group, the Summit of the
Americas and the CLA-EU Summit. We agreed to implement joint actions within the framework of the new Mechanism for Dialog
and Cooperation established between CAN and Mexico.
8. The presidents of Mexico and Ecuador hailed the progress achieved by the Puebla-Panama Plan (PPP) in its process
of restructuring in order to migrate towards a Mesoamerican Program of Integration, Development and Competitiveness, to be
submitted at the Tenth Summit of the Mechanism of Dialogue and Coordination in Tuxtla, to be held in Mexico in June 2008.
Ecuador participated in the PPP Summits in its capacity as observer.
Migratory Affairs
9. As a sign of the Ecuador's friendship with and affection for Mexico, and in keeping with the principle of the
free circulation of persons and in order to strengthen bilateral relations and facilitate trade and tourism between the two
countries, President Rafael Correa declared that he has ordered the elimination of the visa requirement for Mexican nationals
entering Ecuador for a period of up to ninety days, as tourists. He announced that this decision will take effect as from
May 1, 2008, after Ecuadorian authorities complete the corresponding administrative arrangements.
President Felipe Calderón hailed President Rafael Correa’s decision and highlighted his government’s
willingness to facilitate the flow of tourists and business persons from Ecuador, which will benefit the bilateral relationship
and strengthen economic, social and cultural contacts and cooperation in every sphere.
10. We agreed to increase cooperation and dialog at both the bilateral and regional levels regarding migratory
issues, which will focus the attention and dedication of our governments and has profound social repercussions. To this end,
we will encourage broad bilateral cooperation that will include the exchange of experiences in areas such as legal representation,
the organization of migrants and their protection from racism, discrimination and xenophobia. In this respect, we are pleased
by today's signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between Ecuador and Mexico on Cooperation regarding Attention to National
Communities Abroad.
11. We agreed on the importance of promoting and guaranteeing respect for the rights of migrants and their families,
and we repeat our support of the work to be carried out by the OAS Special Commission of Migratory Affairs which will, among
other things, orient the effects of the countries, departments and programs in this organization regarding migratory affairs.
We also confirm Ecuador and Mexico’s support of the implementation of the United Nations International Convention on
the Protection of the Rights of all Migratory Workers and their Relatives, adopted on December 18, 1990 and the work of their
committee, and we once again urge migrant destination countries, through their adherence to this instrument, to effectively
express their commitment to the international protection of migrants.
12. Lastly, we instruct our respect authorities to complete the negotiations of the Memorandum of Understanding
between the Interior Secretariat, the Foreign Affairs Secretariat in Mexico, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and
Integration of Ecuador for Cooperation regarding migratory affairs as soon as possible.
Disarmament Affairs
13. We reaffirm our governments' decision to undertake all actions designed to comply with the international instruments
adopted regarding disarmament and to prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. In this respect, we invite
the countries that have not yet done so to adhere to the international laws regarding this issue. The President of Ecuador
hailed the Mexican Government's decision to reinforce and support the work of the Organization for the Prohibition of Nuclear
Weapons in Latin America (OPANAL).
14. At the same time we are concerned about the illicit trafficking of small, light weapons, which poses a serious
threat to international peace and security, and the economic and social development of nations, and threatens the well-being
of societies, since it contributes to the increase in transnational organized crime.
As means of controlling illicit trafficking in small and light weapons, our governments reaffirm their commitment
to fully complying with and promoting the implementation of the recommendations of the United Nations Program of Action to
Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trafficking of Small and Light Weapons, and to actively participate in the Third
Biennial Meeting of the Program of Action to be held between July 14 and 18, 2008, in New York City. In this respect, we support
the efforts of the UN Secretary General to comply with the mandate of the UN General Assembly aimed at discussing the advisability
of initiating negotiations to adopt a Treaty on Arms Dealing that would be legally binding.
15. Realizing the severe humanitarian consequences of the use of cluster bombs, we confirm our decision to work
together so that the international community will be able to finish negotiating a legally binding instrument this year that
will prohibit the use, fabrication, transfer and storage of these weapons. To this end, we decided to redouble the efforts
that will be made by Ecuador and Mexico at international forums, particularly at the Diplomatic Conference of Dublin to be
held in May.
In keeping with this approach to disarmament, we confirm our decision to continue working to ensure that Latin
America and the Caribbean are declared a cluster bomb-free area.
Transnational Crime Fighting
16. We are committed to strengthening international cooperation, based on the principle of shared responsibility
and with strict adherence to international law, in fighting all forms of transnational crime, particularly as regards to drug
trafficking, people dealing and trafficking, firearms trafficking, cybernetic crime and child pornography.
17. We highlighted the passage of the Extradition Treaty between the two countries, a legal framework that will
enable our states to work together to fight crime and impunity, on the basis of the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty
and legal equality.
18. We instructed the corresponding authorities of our countries to advance towards the signing, as soon as possible,
of the Bilateral Treaty on the Execution of Penal Sentences, aimed at contributing to the rehabilitation of condemned persons
and to enable them to carry out their respective sentences in their countries of origin.
19. We also instructed our authorities to complete, as quickly as possible, the negotiations of a Framework Agreement
of Cooperation and Collaboration between our respective public security authorities, which will facilitate the coordination
of the police forces in both countries in their fight against transnational crime, acts of corruption, and impunity of the
perpetrators.
20. We agreed to join forces to ensure the success of the First Meeting of Public Security Ministers in the Americas,
which will help reinforce the public policies of the OAS member countries in fighting transnational organized crime.
Environmental Affairs
21. We confirm our commitment to conserving the environment and the promotion of sustainable development, particularly
the objectives of the Implementation Plan of the World Summit of Sustainable Development adopted in Johannesburg in 2002,
and implementing the agreements derived from the international environmental conventions signed by our countries.
22. We highlighted the importance of collaboration between Ecuador and Mexico in dealing with the problems derived
from climate change, bearing in mind the vulnerability of our populations and ecosystems to the phenomenon. We also repeated
our commitment to adopting a new, balanced and effective climate change system which, based on the Bali Plan of Action, considers
the needs of developing countries in the areas of mitigation, adaptation, technology transfer and innovative financial mechanisms.
23. The Mexican president hailed the Ecuadorian initiative to promote international action for the conservation
of the Yasuni-ITT Nature Reserve, which will encourage the protection of indigenous peoples and the biodiversity of Ecuadorian
Amazonia and contribute to efforts to reduce climate change.
24. We have decided to promote actions of mutual cooperation between the two countries to protect the environment
and encourage the rational use of natural resources, which is why we asked the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources
of Mexico, and the Ministry of the Environment of Ecuador, to begin developing a binational program designed to exchange information
on the integral management of chemical substances, mercury management, and the Register of Emissions and Pollutant Transfers
(RETC).
Human Rights and Legal Affairs
25. We agreed on the commitment to intensify cooperation and support for the international system of human rights
protection and the various multilateral forums in this area. We expressed our interest in working to promote regional cooperation
in the area of democracy and human rights through the exchange of experiences and good practices.
26. We hailed the interest in developing a training program for Ecuadorian judges at the Institute of Federal Judicature
of Mexican, and the National Board of Judicature of Ecuador.
Multilateral Action
27. We both express interest in reinforcing multilateralism as the only means of protecting and enhancing the interests
and needs of developing countries, and we repeat our commitment to contributing to the process of reforming the United Nations
in order to make it more efficient, democratic and transparent.
28. We hailed the exchange of support arranged between our countries, through which Mexico will support Ecuador's
bid to join the UN Economic and Social Council for the period between 2011 and 2013, and Ecuador will vote for Mexico's candidacy
to the UN Security Council for the two year period between 2009 and 2010.
29. The President of Ecuador hailed the election by acclamation of José Rivera Banuet as Permanent Secretary of
SELA during the 11th Extraordinary Meeting of the Council of this organization held on March 31 and April 1 of this year,
in Caracas, Venezuela. The election constitutes recognition of the Mexican government's commitment to collaborate with other
Latin American and Caribbean countries in their efforts to strengthen economic, trade and cooperation relations between countries
in the region.
30. We hailed the Regional Conference, held in Mexico on April 15 and 16 of this year, on the Implementation of
the Convention of the United Nations on the Rights of Disabled Persons in Latin America and the Caribbean, jointly sponsored
by the Foreign Affairs Secretariat and United Nations, that will enable new cooperation strategies in this area to be adopted.
Vice President Lenín Moreno Garcés will participate on behalf of the Ecuadorian government.
Economic Affairs
31. We expressed our interest in improving and increasing our economic relations and pledged to make every effort
to strengthen them and promote new areas of trade and bilateral agreements.
To this end, we agreed to take advantage of and explore expansion of Partial Scope Agreement No. 29 (AAP29) without
lessening bilateral or regional mechanisms that will enable the expansion of trade between our countries.
32. To this end, we hailed the meeting between the Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Integration of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration of Ecuador, and the Under-Secretary of International Commercial Relations of the
Mexican Economy Secretariat. We are also pleased by the agreement to hold a first working meeting between the technical officials
of our countries to begin to explore these issues. These meetings will continue until a mechanism is established that will
strengthen our commercial relations before President Felipe Calderón's visit to Ecuador in 2009.
33. We hail the business mission accompanying President Rafael Correa, which drew up a schedule of business meetings
with counterparts in order to explore opportunities in both markets.
34. We urge firms in both countries to continue promoting trade through trade missions that will enable business
and investment opportunities to be identified, exploited and enhanced.
35. We hope for the success of the Binational Ecuador-Mexico Chamber of Commerce, soon to be established in Quito,
and whose actions, together with those of Mexico, will benefit the bilateral trade relationship and strengthen contacts between
business persons in both countries. In this respect, we hail the actions carried out by the Binational Ecuador-Mexico Chamber
of Commerce, formed in 2006, which made various presentations this year in Quito and Guayaquil.
36. We agreed to undertake coordinated actions to renew direct flights as soon as possible between the two countries,
suspended two years ago, through a Mexican or Ecuadorian airline.
37. We have proven the importance for the region of the Forum of the Latin American Pacific Basin Initiative (FICPLA),
also called Arco Forum, and we agreed to promote the actions and commitments derived from this regional initiative. The President
of Ecuador thanked his Mexican counterpart for the work and actions undertaken by the Government of Mexico in the organization
of the III Arco Forum in Cancún, Mexico on April 13 and 14.
38. We recognize the need to harmonize positions that will boost relations with Asian Pacific counties, in view
of which we instructed our respective institutions to identify areas of mutual cooperation and establish mechanisms to facilitate
and promote trade and investment with countries in the area.
39. We confirmed the importance of the Latin American-East Asia Cooperation Forum (FOCALAE) as a space for facilitating
dialogue between the two regions, and as a mechanism for cooperation and the exchange of experiences in various areas, and
we pledged to participate actively in the 6th Meeting of the Working Group on Economy and Society, and the 1st Meeting of
the Tourism Sub-group, which within the framework of FOCALAE will be held in November 2008 in Quito.
Technical and Scientific Cooperation Affairs
40. We repeated our commitment to contributing, through technical and scientific cooperation, to the technological,
economic, social and cultural development of our nations as far as possible.
41. We expressed our pleasure at the positive results achieved at the 3rd Program of Technical and Scientific Cooperation
established between our countries for the two-year period between 2005 and 2007, particularly in the areas of social development,
economic development and environment. We stressed the high degree of commitment to the goals in this program.
42. We also hailed the 4th Meeting of the Mixed Commission of Technical and Scientific Cooperation between Mexico
and Ecuador on March 14, 2008, during which the Cooperation Program for the period from 2008 to 2010 was renewed, and we hope
that cooperation in this area will become an instrument that will consolidate the excellent relations between the peoples
of both countries.
43. We will continue promoting bilateral cooperation in every sphere, since this is one of the most successful
components of the relationship between Mexico and Ecuador. We instructed the respective authorities in our countries to promote
the option of trilateral cooperation with other governments, such as the project for municipal solid waste management between
Mexico, Germany and Ecuador.
44. We hailed the signing of the Normative Agreement for the Exchange of Technological Cooperation, signed by Mexico’s
Federal Electricity Commission (CFE) and the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy of Ecuador, in January 2008.
Mexico highlighted the efforts of the Ecuadorian government to achieve the sustainable exploitation of energy resources
and protect biodiversity.
45. We acknowledge the efforts made by both countries to deal with the emergencies caused by natural phenomena
in our countries.
46. The President of Ecuador thanked the Mexican government for sending a delegation of Mexican experts on civil
protection and the prevention and mitigation of natural disasters that focused on strengthening institutional capacities and
human resource training.
47. The President of Ecuador thanked the government and people of Mexico for their solidarity in helping the population
affected by the recent floods on the Ecuadorian coast. He also hailed the Mexican government's offer to establish a Technical
Cooperation Program to enable the Ecuadorian government to establish a National Disaster Prevention System through the exchange
of experts and experiences that will permit the future creation of a Risk Secretariat in Ecuador.
Educational and Cultural Cooperation Affairs
48. We hail the signing, during this visit, of the Agreement on the Mutual Recognition of Higher Education Studies
that will encourage academic and cultural exchange between our countries.
49. We expressed our satisfaction with the level of implementation of the 2006-2008 Program of Educational and
Cultural Cooperation between Mexico and Ecuador through which grants have been offered to Ecuadorian students, and activities
have been carried out in the spheres of archaeology, artistic dance, museums and academia at the secondary, technical and
higher levels, together with academic assessment of constitutional issues. We confirm our commitment to continue undertaking
these types of activities.
50. Since, in 2009 and 2010, Ecuador and Mexico will celebrate bicentennials of their independence, we instructed
our cultural institutions to promote a joint program for this purpose, in order to stage a joint exhibition of common cultural
values between Ecuador and Mexico throughout their history that could be presented consecutively in both countries.
51. We hailed the signing, during this visit, of the following instruments: Cooperation Agreement on Distance Learning
between the Mexican Public Education Secretariat and the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education; Cooperation Agreement in Physical
Culture and Sports between the National Commission of Physical Culture and Sports in Mexico and the Ecuadorian Ministry of
Sport; and the Inter-Institutional Agreement between the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM)
and the Corporation for the Promotion of Exports and Investments (CORPEI) of Ecuador.
52.
Lastly, we confirmed our mutual interest in securing, as soon as possible, the Bilateral Agreement for the Protection, Conservation,
Recovery and Restoration of Cultural, Archaeological, Artistic, Historical and Natural Assets that have been Stolen or Illegally
Trafficked.
The
President of Ecuador, Rafael Correa Delgado, thanked the government and people of Mexico on his own behalf, and that of this
staff and the Ecuadorian people, for their attention and demonstrations of affection and friendship. He also invited Mexican
President Felipe Calderón to visit Ecuador in 2009 on a date to be set through diplomatic channels. The President of Mexico
accepted the gracious invitation.
——————————
(Press
Release: Presidency of the Republic, April 11, 2008, Mexico City)
Translation
Presidency of the Republic
