Lima, September 10, 2004. Andean Community Secretary General Allan Wagner proposed a new Cooperation Program between the United States and Andean countries, to generate international competitiveness with social inclusion.

Wagner explained that "attaining an internationally competitive capacity and incorporating large social sectors into the process of internationalization of our economies are elements which are crucial for the building of the two-way highway that will allow us to make this a process beneficial for all and will help narrow the ever-present gap dividing our countries".

He noted that this, however, will require funding and huge investments, which our countries are not in a position to provide on their own, due to the revenue and foreign indebtedness limitations they are subject to.

To that effect, he urged the OAS, ADC, IDB, ECLA and the World Bank, to take on the challenge and help build this new program, "which would add a new dimension to the relations between the United States and the Andean Community, ensuring the free trade benefits we are negotiating".

He mentioned that the new program should include innovative financial mechanisms – such as those demanded by the Rio Group Summit last year in Cusco – which would make it possible to drastically increase public and private investment in infrastructure, technological innovation, the competitiveness of the PYMES (small and medium enterprises) and rural development, as well as in education, health and other areas.

The CAN Secretary General pointed out that "we are going through exceptional times for the Andean subregion, since perhaps never before has it been as evident and necessary as it is today, to have a close link between the domestic agenda and the external agenda of our countries", which should lead them not only to form an ever more sound and solidary block, but also to have their relationship with third parties to become platforms for productive development and social cohesion.

"This is why I talk about solidarity and cooperation, not only among Andean countries, but also within the Interamerican Community, so we can all together boost democracy, development and integration", he remarked.

Wagner put forth this proposal for a new competitiveness and social inclusion program on Thursday, September 9th, in Washington, during the closing ceremony of the 7th Annual Conference of the Andean Development Corporation (ADC) and Interamerican Dialogue on Trade and Investment in the Americas.