The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, today congratulated the work of the Commission on Sensitive Affairs presided by the Foreign Ministers of Colombia, Jaime Bermúdez, and Ecuador, Fander Falconí, that met in the Ecuadorian city of Cotacachi. In addition, the Secretary General, as facilitator, assured that the OAS will continue to support the dialogue between the two South American countries.

“We will continue to work in facilitating the search for agreements in sensitive affairs,” Insulza said. “We are going to put forth our greatest efforts, our greatest enthusiasm, in this work. I will make an announcement at the next Permanent Council of the very important step that has been taken today in the appointing of the chargés d’affaires, a decision that will greatly strengthen our work,” he added.

It was agreed at the meeting today that the two countries shall, by November 15, name their chargés d’affaires and renew the dialogue on security and defense of the common border. The meeting also was attended by the Ministers of Defense of Ecuador, Javier Ponce, and of Colombia, Gabriel Silva, and by Jennifer MacCoy of the Carter Center, who served as facilitator.

The process of dialogue between the two countries seeks to reestablish diplomatic relations interrupted in March 2008.

Reference: E-361/09