Prensa Latina, Cuba

Ecuador to Mediate Andes for EU Deal

9 June 2007

Quito, Jun 9 (Prensa Latina) Ecuadorian chancellor, Maria Fernanda Espinosa affirmed that her country will mediate differences within the Andean Community of Nations (CAN) prior to the upcoming summit.

Espinosa told press that Ecuador wants to gather the different positions of Bolivia, Peru and Colombia on negotiations of a free trade agreement with the EU, for "a harmonious position of all parts." "I believe we can mediate different positions of member nations regarding CAN-EU negotiations after the dialogue was blocked last week in La Paz," she asserted.

Espinosa explained that at the summit of CAN Heads of State from June 12 to 14 in the Bolivian city of Tarija, the Andean presidents will adopt a final decision on negotiations with the EU.

In conclusion, she also proposed a full integration of Chile as associate member and a return of Venezuela to CAN under the same category as Chile.