Speech by Andean Community Secretary General Sebastián Alegrett at the farewell ceremony conducted in his honor by the Andean Council of Foreign Ministers and the Andean Community Commission, as well as the Foreign Ministers of Bolivia and Peru on behalf of their respective governments

Lima, July 7, 2002

Five years ago, in Bolivia, the Andean Presidents, facing the possibility of a severe crisis stemming from Peru’s announced withdrawal, honored me by appointing me Secretary General of the Andean Community and inaugurated the new institutional structure established one year earlier in the Trujillo Protocol.

I wish to express my heartfelt appreciation to the Presidents for having placed that enormous trust in me, a reason for legitimate pride that I cherish.

At that time, I was deeply convinced that without Peru’s participation our integration movement would be meaningless. I spared no effort in seeking to change that initial decision and had the enormous satisfaction of starting my term of office on the very day that Peru approved its full reincorporation into this Community.

I set myself the task, during these five years, of deepening our integration, enlarging its agenda and reinforcing its external projection. At the same time, I worked to turn the General Secretariat into a modern, dynamic and efficient institution worthy of the respect and trust of the Member Countries.

Today, I find it a most interesting paradox that in that same Bolivia, five years later, the Andean Presidents pledged to put into effect a Common External Tariff in which all of the countries will participate. All that remains is to have the courage to cross the Rubicon, in order to be able, as soon as possible, to have our own customs union, with our own economic space, so that our Common Market can be in place in 2005.

I have found it equally satisfying to note, day by day, how the Andean Community has been giving shape to an international profile that has made it possible for us to participate in or negotiate trade and political agreements that are of the greatest importance to the future of our countries.

None of this would have been possible without the manifest political will and repeated support of the Governments of the Member Countries, together with -of course,-- the mystique and dedication of all of those whom I have had the pleasure and privilege to work with over these years. That is why I can only say, as I conclude my functions, thank you.

My thanks go to the Governments for the benevolence and understanding they have always shown toward me, although it could not always have been easy for them to accept the zeal with which I pursued my chosen initiatives and approached my areas of jurisdiction. My thanks go also to those who have generously given of their time and efforts to work with me for the cause of integration.

My thanks go to my dear friend of long standing, Gustavo Fernández, for the tribute he has paid to me on behalf of the Commission and for the ennobling decoration that his Government has conferred on me.

Thanks also to my good friend, Diego García Sayán, whose Government has not wished to see me leave this beautiful country that welcomed Cristina and me with open arms and where we have formed close friendships, without first so honoring me.

My thanks go to all of you who are accompanying me at this time, which is both a moment of celebration, as in all tributes, and of sadness, as in all departures.