Bilateral Dialogue - Joint Statement

UNITED STATES-ECUADOR JOINT STATEMENT ON THE FIRST MEETING OF THE BILATERAL DIALOGUE

 

On November 24, 2008, the First Meeting of the Bilateral Dialogue took place in Quito, a tangible demonstration of relations of respect, friendship and cooperation between the United States and Ecuador, as well as a shared determination to strengthen existing ties by developing areas that are priorities for both countries.

The delegations welcomed the formal establishment of the aforementioned mechanism, as well as the productive results achieved during the First Session and emphasized the following:

 

1. They agreed that there exists extensive, fruitful cooperation between the two parties, and that the Bilateral Dialogue is a valuable forum to strengthen and expand mutual interests included in the four pillars of the agreed agenda.

 

2. They ratified that the four pillars on which the Bilateral Dialogue will be framed are:

a) MEASURES TO PROMOTE HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND THE REDUCTION OF POVERTY

b) FACILITATION OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT

c) COOPERATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

d) MIGRATION ISSUES

 

3. With respect to the pillar "Measures to Promote Human Development and the Reduction of Poverty," they highlighted the work that the Government of Ecuador is implementing is this area and emphasized that the United States will continue providing support for "Plan Ecuador," in keeping with national priorities and the guidelines of Ecuador´s National Development Plan, as well as other development programs.

 

4. In addition, they indicated that the two parties will consider how the United States might support initiatives by the Government of Ecuador to strengthen Ecuador's financial sector.

 

5. With respect to the pillar "Facilitation of Trade and Investment," they reviewed bilateral commercial relations and noted that the Bilateral Dialogue will allow deepening our discussions on how trade can contribute to durable reduction in poverty.

 

6. The delegations highlighted possibilities to strengthen small and medium sized enterprises through the implementation of training, development and credit access programs with U.S. support, to improve the companies' participation in local and international trade.

 

7. They took note of the information and plans provided by the parties on trade facilitation and simplification of trade logistics. In addition, they addressed issues related to customs services, sanitary and phytosanitary standards, and inventory of new products.

 

8. The Ecuadorian delegation gave a presentation on the work that the Ecuadorian Government is undertaking in the field of competition and antimonopoly legislation and specifically the development of Ecuadorian institutional and productive capacity, where U.S. experience and cooperation could provide valuable support.

 

9. Both delegations underlined the importance of investment as part of a comprehensive national development strategy and exchanged views on this topic, within the framework of national development strategies.

 

10. With respect to the pillar "Cooperation and Technical Assistance," the delegations reaffirmed its importance for improving human development, in keeping with the objectives established in Ecuador´s National Development Plan. The two parties discussed ways they could collaborate on renewable energy and sustainable development, risk management against natural disasters, and judicial cooperation and assistance. In addition, the two parties renewed their commitment to continue working jointly to combat narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

 

11. Regarding the pillar "Migration Issues," Ecuador emphasized its interpretation of the protection of migrant rights, facilitation and reduction of costs of transmitting remittances, and the obligation of prompt consular notification. The United States noted the importance of secure identity documents, combat trafficking in persons, and consular access and prison conditions for prisoners.

 

12. The delegations agreed to establish Working Groups -at least one for each pillar- to monitor and develop the issues discussed in the Bilateral Dialogue, as well as facilitate the exchange of information necessary for their management. The composition of the Working Groups will be established through diplomatic channels.

 

13. The delegations reaffirmed their intent to deepen the Bilateral Dialogue in 2009 and agreed to develop a meeting schedule for the Working Groups and plenary sessions for the bilateral mechanism, which will be approved through diplomatic channels.

 

14. They agreed that the Second Meeting of the Bilateral Dialogue will take place in Washington, D.C. in the second quarter of 2009.

 

15. The U.S. delegation thanked the Ecuadorian delegation for the hospitality received during its stay in Ecuador.