JUNE, 27-28, 2018
The President of the Republic of Ecuador, Lenin Moreno Garcés, welcomed to Ecuador the Vice President of the United States of America, Mike Pence, who conducted an official visit June 27 – 28, 2018. Both leaders noted with satisfaction the strong bilateral relationship in areas of mutual interest, including the economy, development, security, migration, and democratic governance. They also recognized the close ties that unite their people, and committed to work together to strengthen the existing relationship.
The Ecuadorian President and the U.S. Vice President affirmed the importance of expanding bilateral initiatives to combat transnational organized crime, narcotrafficking, and violence, particularly on Ecuador’s northern border. They welcomed the recent signing of bilateral instruments to enhance law enforcement cooperation in the fight against narcotrafficking, within the rule of law. Vice President Pence announced the intention to provide assistance in this area, recognizing that the fight against this scourge affects children and youth throughout the world.
Both leaders stressed the importance of facilitating and expanding bilateral trade and investment, which generate well-being and jobs in both countries. Vice President Pence highlighted the importance of the measures taken by the government of President Moreno to encourage private investment and stimulate economic growth. For his part, President Moreno expressed his appreciation for the renewal of the Generalized System of Preferences, and reiterated the request to consider market access for new products that generate jobs, such as tuna, roses, and broccoli, among others.
To strengthen the ties between both nations, they plan to convoke the Bilateral Political Dialogue before the end of 2018 to discuss key aspects of the bilateral relationship that can contribute to reciprocal, concrete benefits.
Both leaders also committed to work toward a solution for pending commercial issues to establish the conditions necessary to reactivate the Bilateral Trade and Investment Council before the end of 2018.
President Moreno and Vice President Pence recognized the importance of close cooperation, including mutual legal assistance and extradition, consistent with applicable law, in the fight against corruption, tax evasion, and money laundering. In this respect, Vice President Pence announced U.S. government plans to provide funding to support transparency programs, civil society, and institutional strengthening programs.
President Moreno reiterated the profound commitment of his government on the issue of human mobility with the goal of addressing the needs and requirements of Ecuadorian migrants abroad, for which public policies and special services have been implemented. Both leaders discussed the situation of Ecuadorian citizens who are in the United States, and U.S. citizens who are in Ecuador, and pledged to intensify the bilateral dialogue on consular and human mobility issues, as well as their commitment to combat trafficking in persons.
The two leaders expressed their concern about the deterioration of democracy, humanitarian conditions, and human rights in Venezuela, which has caused the exodus of more than 2 million Venezuelans to countries throughout the world, including Ecuador. They pledged to work within regional entities, such as the OAS, to promote humanitarian aid, institutional stability, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms through dialogue and other democratic means, without exclusions, in ways that are verifiable, and with international observation. Vice President Pence recognized Ecuador’s efforts to receive almost 150,000 Venezuelan citizens who have fled their country.
President Moreno and Vice President Pence condemned the acts of violence and the violations and abuses of human rights in Nicaragua, which has caused more than 200 deaths and hundreds of injured in recent months, and called for an immediate end to the violence and the prompt reestablishment of peace and respect for democracy. Along the same line, they urged the resumption of the national dialogue in Nicaragua as the only way to resolve differences.
Finally, Vice President Pence thanked President Moreno, the Ecuadorian people, and the Ecuadorian government for their hospitality and expressed his satisfaction with the constructive dialogue and the results reached. President Moreno highlighted the positive results of the visit, and expressed his will to strengthen bilateral relations in a framework of respect for sovereignty, equality, and pragmatism.
More Information visit: https://ec.usembassy.gov/fact-sheet-on-cooperation-between-the-united-states-and-ecuador/
