Joint Press Release

Washington DC, United States - 19 July 2001,

Clovis Baptista, CITEL Executive Secretary said: "This agreement is a true landmark for the activity of CITEL in the standards coordination area, aimed to promote and facilitate the interoperability of networks and services – an essential requisite for the development of a modern telecommunications infrastructure connecting the whole Americas region".

He explained that collaboration between CITEL and ETSI will make the best use of available resources, avoid duplication, and increase the effectiveness of their efforts to ensure a greater harmonization and consistency of telecommunications standards.

ETSI welcomes this opportunity "to foster better cooperation between the two organizations, to facilitate understanding and allow both parties to better understand the requirements for telecommunications in Europe and the Americas". Karl Heinz Rosenbrock, Director General of ETSI, stressed, that "telecommunications are very important for the interaction between people and between countries, and contributes to the strengthening of democracy".

Mr. Rosenbrock signed the agreement on behalf of ETSI, and Mr. Baptista signed for the OAS/CITEL.

CITEL is an entity of the OAS, established by the OAS General Assembly to facilitate and promote the continuing development of telecommunications in the hemisphere.

ETSI undertakes pre-standardization and standardization activities in areas common to telecommunications, information technology, sound and television broadcasting.

NOTE TO EDITORS

ETSI (the European Telecommunications Standards Institute) is a non-profit-making, independent organization whose mission is to produce the telecommunications standards that will be used for decades to come throughout Europe and beyond.

Based in Sophia Antipolis (France), ETSI unites 889 members from 54 countries inside and outside Europe, and represents manufacturers, network operators, administrations, service providers, research bodies and users. The Institute's work programme is determined by its members, who are also responsible for approving its deliverables. As a result, ETSI's activities are maintained in close alignment with the market needs expressed by its members.

ETSI plays a major role in developing a wide range of standards and other technical documentation as Europe's contribution to world-wide standardization in telecommunications, broadcasting and information technology. ETSI's prime objective is to support global harmonization by providing a forum in which all the key players can contribute actively. ETSI is officially recognized by the European Commission and the EFTA. ETSI web site: http://www.etsi.org

OAS

The Organization of American States (OAS) is playing a central role in working toward many of the goals that are shared by the countries of North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. Through the Summit of the Americas process, the hemisphere’s heads of state and government have given the OAS important responsibilities and mandates, including:

• Strengthening freedom of speech and thought as a basic human right;
• Promoting greater participation by civil society in decision-making at all levels of government.
• Improving cooperation to address the problem of illegal drugs; and
• Supporting the process to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas

An Effective Partnership

Made up of 35 member states, the OAS is the region’s premier political forum for multilateral dialogue and action. With four official languages -- English, Spanish, French and Portuguese -- the Organization reflects the rich diversity of peoples and cultures across the Americas.

CITEL

CITEL is an entity of the OAS, established by the OAS General Assembly to facilitate and promote the continuing development of telecommunications in the hemisphere. It serves as the Organization's principal advisory body on matters related to telecommunications