Speech of the Constitutional President of the Republic of Ecuador, Lucio Gutiérrez, in the Opening Ceremony of the 15th Andean Presidential Summit

Quito, July 12, 2004

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the people of Ecuador, I have the honor of welcoming you to the City of Quito, where we will again have an opportunity of sharing the expectations and hope of our nations, to get to know each other better and to go hand in hand and resurrect the dream of our Liberator, Simón Bolívar, of a single and great Latin American nation.

Although it is true that history and politics defined the identity of each of our countries, it is not less of a truth that presently, the challenges produced by our globalized world demand a new encounter where brothers will get together and face the great challenges ahead.

The City of Quito, which proudly holds the title of the First City of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity, welcomes with open arms these illustrious visitors, leaders of Andean Countries, inviting them to go over its beautiful squares and colonial streets, where Bolívar and Manuelita embraced a sublime love and heroism story.

Almost two centuries have gone by since such freedom seeking efforts were made; but only since 1969, have we started to consolidate the idea of getting together, inspired by two historical and geographical icons which steer the greatness of our destiny: Simón Bolívar and the Andes!

However, looking to the future, we are becoming convinced that only integration will allow us to be on the 21st Century stage as a sound and powerful international entity, characterized by the same ethnic-cultural and historical-geographical elements which so indissolubly identify us.

Within this context, it has been Ecuador’s turn to be the Pro Tempore Presidency of the Andean Community; and now I have the immense honor to briefly report on the work carried out, with the support of our Member Countries and the General Secretariat, in these times of great expectations at the regional and world levels.

Our community project has just turned 35 years old, as far as institutional life is concerned, and this is reason for us to reflect upon our success, our omissions and the goals which we still have to meet in order to respond to current and future threats.

During this time we have created a modern institution, comparable to those of more advanced integration groups. We have been able to identify our common circumstances as well as respect our differences, always taking society into consideration.

Nevertheless, we are frank in admitting that we still have some shortcomings, a situation which forces us to work more arduously and decisively.

The march to a common market has been halted in practice, since we have not succeeded in consolidating a common tariff; and therefore, the free traffic of persons, capital and services.

Let us take, for example, the Common External Duty: we, the Presidents, have asked for clear and firm directives to move forward in this direction; however, one gets the impression that the message was not understood.

Faced by these and other evident problems, it is necessary for us Andean Heads of State to take over the steering of this process and work in a coordinated manner on the pending matters of the agenda.

This harmonization and convergence task must be permanent at the different levels of responsibility of the Andean integration system. To achieve this, through joint reflection, frank dialogue and indispensable flexibility, we could devise formulas which would fairly satisfy the interests at stake.

From the practical point of view of interaction, we must use the modern computer technology tools available, such as it is being done – obviously successfully – by the General Secretariat of the Andean Community.

Through video-conferences, from our respective capital cities, we, the Presidents, are able to perform a close follow up on matters of mutual interest, in order to make the process swifter and more effective.

I dare urge the distinguished delegations to commit ourselves in this meeting, to perform a leap of quality in the coordination efforts we must deploy on different issues, efficiently using such modern technology instruments.

On a different subject, my country had been disseminating the need to prepare an Andean Social Agenda, which will provide speedy and efficient answers against poverty and discrimination, which unfortunately affect high percentages of our people. In this aspect, it is stimulating to confirm that we have coincided in the approval of a resolution for the Social Development Integrated Plan (PID.), which is to be implemented as soon as possible, with the required resources and financing; although it is imperative to find local and foreign sources.

This plan must be carried out on an on-going and sustainable basis, together with other economic-social policy mechanisms to defeat scourges such as poverty, unemployment and social discrimination.

The success which could be achieved in this scenario will be decisive to ensure governability and regional stability; and consequently, the welfare of the people.

The attainment of economic stability and common goals with macroeconomic harmony, will guarantee stability and an outlook for intra-regional growth; which will increase employment sources, naturally discouraging the migration adventures on which millions of Latin Americans embark.

The set of measures which we must adopt in the political, social, commercial and economic areas, must be coherent with and routed towards the same objective. For example, the commitment to put an end to sub-regional trade obstacles and to particular exclusions of the main commitments forming part of the economic integration model, cannot be arrhythmic.

The political will which we must have on this occasion, ought to force us to walk together, in the same direction, without dissipation in opposing interests, which will end up working to the detriment of the decisions we have jointly made.

Although we have the moral duty, it is also strategically good for us in government, to unanimously engage ourselves in looking after the urgent needs of the poorest territorial areas of our countries, developing integral infrastructure plans, roads, environmental sanitation, education, technical cooperation, and sources of employment. We must, most of all, unite border towns, beyond the dividing lines which serve to separate us and impoverish us.

As far as Ecuador is concerned, we have just created a unit with the rank of a Sub-Secretariat of State, and four General Bureaus, in the organic structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to rationalize planning, interinstitutional coordination and the use of resources, for the benefit of these areas and their residents.

To materialize the community’s integration and border development policy into actual reality, imposes, as our first challenge, a search for new, less expensive sources of financing, to make these commonly beneficial projects feasible and to create true development hubs to chase away any potential threats to internal and external security of the countries, while providing tangible and timely solutions to the so desired human development.

To materialize the community’s integration and border development policy into reality, imposes, as our first challenge, a search for new, less expensive sources of financing, to make these commonly beneficial projects feasible and to create true development hubs to chase away any potential threats to internal and external security of the countries, while providing tangible and timely solutions to the so desired human development.

The strategic design for the development and insertion of our economies in the new reality of globalization, which the Andean Community’s Secretary General has proposed, could actually become an additional tool for progress to be made on the Andean Social Agenda.

This is why the main element of the strategic design must be the consolidation of the integration process in all its aspects. This is the great challenge of this important initiative, while its chief trial will be to turn it into actual projects, which are viable and operational, to be able to quickly achieve commitments and tangible results.

In this aspect, the work performed by the Hipólito Unánue Agreement is commendable; since, with the support of the Ministers of Health, it has been playing a very important role in the area of the Andean Social Agenda, giving priority to access to public health services by the marginal population of the Member Countries, as well as to disaster mitigation, sanitation emergencies and a boost to networks providing assistance in the provision of medical equipment and vaccination.

It is almost inofficious to repeat that it is necessary to multiply efforts in matters related to education in the sub-region, in order to identify common elements and policies, which will allow access to new information and communication technology – what is known as “information society” – so that services in general, free traffic of professionals, etc., with the resulting upgrading of competitiveness and efficiency, will become a reality for the benefit of users, consumers; and in the end, of the economies of our respective countries.

The Andean Community, because of different circumstances, is currently facing one of the most important challenges in the development of its Common External Policy, which consists of the legitimate search for the possibility of materializing in the next few months, different free trade agreements with several regional integration schemes and with third party countries.

Ecuador’s Executive Branch decisively encouraged during its term, the conclusion of the Political Dialogue Agreement with the European Union as well as the necessary dealings for the start of negotiations for a future agreement of association to include a Free Trade Agreement with this block – which is nowadays, the world’s number one trader; likewise, it encouraged and ensured the signing of the Complementary Economic Integration Agreement with MERCOSUR, following seven long, frustrating years of negotiation; and it activated, for the first time, the Political Dialogue and Cooperation with the Russian Federation.

I was, as well, greatly honored to propose to MERCOSUR and Chile, the beginning of conversations and the holding of a Presidential Summit, which would get us closer to a strategic agreement in South America, in matters related to political cooperation and future convergence.

We hope that this idea will materialize and bear its fruits as soon as possible.

All of these trade negotiations combined configure a test to the strength of our system and the degree of commitment with Andean integration, since all the achievements translate into the collection of regulations which we have compiled during these 35 years of the Andean project.

This is the opportunity to march to a single beat and act in a synchronize manner. History’s train is on the go and we cannot leave each other out, as we could later face conditions which may be less flexible than those prevailing today.

As we strengthen our Andean union, there will be a hope that this globalizing process will not drag us with it, and that the institutionality created thus far, will not only remain, but also continue stronger and greater.

The development of an intra-community political cooperation agenda permits us to face the Common External Policy in a coherent manner. Accordingly, we have achieved important progress by outlining certain Guidelines for the Andean Common Policy on External Security; we are hoping to approve a political Declaration on the Establishment and Development of an Andean Peace Area.

We will not stop in our coordinated decision to continue with the untiring efforts to fight the scourge of drugs; environmental protection and respect and promotion of human rights.

We have to continue putting together new common policies which will allow us to consolidate the democratic insertion of the Andean Community. This is why the issues relating to the strengthening of democratic governability and the fight against corruption and fraud, must keep on getting most of our attention, until sound and efficient judicial structures are developed, in all of these critical areas.

I cannot leave out mentioning the importance we attach to Andean institutionality and its future. As much as internal commitments may allow, it must be reinforced and expanded, to adapt itself in a dynamic fashion when facing the challenges to come.

On this matter, there appears to be a need for the Ministers of the Economy and Finance to have a more specific consideration to the adoption of community decisions.

Their incorporation to the decision making process will provide sound grounds for coordination and pragmatism in the economic agenda.

Furthermore, there is a requirement to reinforce financial cooperation in the sub-region and to project it towards the South American continent, without this implying the Andean countries being pressed to lose decision-making preeminence on the matter.

Ecuador has been beneficiary of the financial cooperation provided by the Andean Development Corporation (CAF) and the Latin American Reserve Fund. However, it is estimated that this has not been sufficient, given the huge and urgent needs of our countries in areas such as the creation of infrastructure and monetary stabilization.

External funding is insufficient, volatile and difficult to access, just as it has been branded with truth and seriousness by the Chairman of the CAF. In his opinion, it is another factor which limits the investment process required to achieve greater growth rates.

As an illustration, our dear friend, Doctor Enrique García, reminds us that the total external funding needed by Latin America, on average, is some US$ 120 billion per annum, of which, US$ 50 billion to US$ 60 billion are used to amortize the current debt.

He advises that we should get concession-type credit lines, at preferred interest rates not conditioned to stabilization programs. Above all, Andean institutionality must be put to use for the benefit of the Member Countries.

I must point out that the work being carried out by the Andean Parliament, which strengthening and future incorporation in the Andean decision-making process must be the subject of serious reflection, with a view to constructively and realistically taking advantage of the contributions which may be made by the parliamentary entity in favor of the consolidation of the Andean Integration System.

Evidently, its participation and work are necessarily subject to the fact that all its members are elected by direct, popular vote.

The Andean Community’s Court of Justice performs a valuable job in defense and respect for Andean legislation.

This important institution is also destined to a continental projection as the integration process makes progress.

I believe that for the court to maintain its institutional credibility and its own reason to be, it will be necessary to promote reforms to allow the jurisdictional institution to expand its field of action, particularly in the brokerage of litigation, not only in business related matters, but also in aspects dealing with human rights and rights of the indigenous people. Thus, respect for Andean legislation will become a strong column supporting the integration process and social cohesion.

I also wish to make reference to the excellent performance of the Andean Community’s General Secretariat, as far as its specific functions are concerned, in promoting the Andean integration process, proposing the necessary regulatory reforms; and in essence, in support of the progress of the integration project.

As the technical and administrative support of the Andean Integration System, the General Secretariat must be alert about the dangers and obstacles which may be encountered on the way, with an ability to quickly respond to each and every challenge and being prepared to satisfy, in a thorough and timely manner, the new demands and requests we are jointly passing on.

We are firm believers that the consolidation of the Andean Community depends on the degree of commitment with which we tackle the present and the future of our integration system. This means the commitment of us all.

The future Andean agenda and community commitments, particularly in matters dealing with relationships and negotiations with third parties, will require new sacrificed by the Member Countries, in favor of the General Secretariat.

We are not seeking more bureaucracy, but rather a strong institutionality, which will allow, in a timely and efficient manner compliance with the objectives and directives established by the Andean countries each time we meet, as we are doing right now.

Concerning the participation of society in the integration process, we admit to the shortcomings existing in the past on this matter, which have been dragging for decades now, with no justification.

During the term of this President of Ecuador, we have somehow attempted to remedy this deficiency, through the incorporation into the Andean Integration System of the Labor and Business Consultative Councils, as well a the creation of the Indigenous Communities Labor Rights Council.

In spite of such progress and of the commitment to incorporate consumers in the future, this issue remains pending action by the members of the Andean Community, a fact that leads us to having to find new and more imaginative formulas, so that the new players, in this era of globalization, will constructively co-participate in the responsibility of designing the architecture of the integration of the future.

In this context, it becomes absolutely necessary to urge the Member Countries which have not done so as yet, to ratify the Additional Protocol to the Simón Rodríguez Social and Labor Agreement, so that it will be operational and fully implemented.

This democratization must be coupled by a full diffusion program in the Andean countries at all levels, so as to have a strategic tool with which to disseminate in the region and elsewhere, the strengths and weaknesses which bind us.

The efforts carried out by the Simón Bolívar Andean University are praiseworthy in matters relating to education. Nonetheless, we have the urge to take a quality oriented leap through the creation of an Andean Communication Policy, which will really make it possible for us to preserve our values and principles and defend our interests, just as Europe and other regions of the world have done.

Honorable Presidents, distinguished delegates, representatives and members of the Andean Integration System: together, we have a great responsibility with history and with our people. Let us make sure that our speech is in line with our political practice and with our decisions; and that we apply all the political will needed by this integration process – to which so many illustrious men have dedicated untiring hours in their work – so that it will really and truly be for the benefit of the dearest interests of our peoples.

Let us not let Bolívar’s vision and dreams fade away. The Liberator and his ideas continue to be our compass and they will keep on charting our course.

These 35 years of Andean history demonstrate that in spite of the obstacles, the crises and the discordant voices which oppose integration, the community project persists, it will continue to persist and it will arrive to safe port.

Let us not think only of ourselves, let us also think of our brothers, who leave our land everyday, heading to other destinations in search of better employment, security and welfare opportunities for them and for their families.

Those of us who lead the Andean Nations are called to maintain, practice and defend this sacred commitment without dismay.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Thank you very much