Lima, Dec. 20, 2007.- The Secretary General of the Andean Community, Freddy Ehlers, declared today that things look good for the Andean integration movement at the close of 2007, because one of the most advanced forms of action provided for in the CAN’s Common Foreign Policy has been put into effect, namely the adoption of a common position and a single spokesman in international forums. 

He referred to the fact that during the week of December 10 to 14, the Andean countries had effectively participated “with a single voice” in the Second Round of Negotiations of an Association Agreement with the European Union, held in Brussels (Belgium) and at the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that took place in Bali (Indonesia).

"The Andean countries were united in facing two of their most important challenges, namely moving ahead in unprecedented bloc-to-bloc negotiations with the EU and expressing their concern over a phenomenon that constitutes the principal threat to mankind, that of climate change, to which they are particularly vulnerable,” he stated emphatically.  

He went on to explain that the form of action put into practice by the Andean countries will not only enhance their capacity for international negotiation, but will also consolidate and deepen the process of Andean integration and will strengthen their identity and unity. 

He recalled that 2007 had been a particularly difficult year for the integration process, but that these accomplishments have pointed up the capacity of our countries to remain united within their diversity.