“This is excellent news for the Andean Community”
CAN Secretary General points up the Latin American unity demonstrated in the Rio Group

Lima, March 7, 2008.- The Secretary General of the CAN, Freddy Ehlers, drew attention to the success of the Rio Group Summit where Colombia and Ecuador overcame their differences and the first step was taken toward their reconciliation through a handshake, in which Venezuela and Nicaragua joined. 

“The closing of the Rio Group Summit could not have been better, for the handshake between the Presidents of Colombia, Ecuador, Nicaragua and Venezuela was a clear demonstration of their will to preserve the peace,” he pointed out.

Ehlers mentioned the attitude and gestures of good will shown by the two Presidents that made this “happy end” possible.  He underscored the statesmanlike attitudes of Presidents Álvaro Uribe and Rafael Correa that pointed up the capacity for dialogue and understanding that exists between the Andean countries.   

The CAN Secretary General also called attention to the role played by the OAS and the Rio Group in the search for friendly solutions between the parties that reinforce the countries’ multilateralism and encourage renewed efforts to institute Community cooperation mechanisms for advancing peace and security in the subregion. 

“This is excellent news for the Andean and Latin American nations,” he concluded by saying.