OAS SECRETARY GENERAL
MEETS WITH AMBASSADOR OF LITHUANIA, AUDRIUS BRUZGA
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States
(OAS), José Miguel Insulza, met with the Ambassador of Lithuania
to the U.S., Audrius Bruzga.
Though not a Permanent Observer to the OAS, Lithuania formally
presented a letter, in accordance with General Assembly Resolution
AG/RES. 50 (I-O/71), to Secretary General Insulza in order to
apply for the status of Permanent Observer. In addition to
becoming a Permanent Observer, the two also discussed the
situation in Honduras, as well as the region as a whole.
Currently, Lithuania holds the Chair of the Community of
Democracies.
OAS SECRETARY GENERAL
MEETS ITALIAN UNDER-SECRETARY OF FOREIGN RELATIONS
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States
(OAS), José Miguel Insulza, met Thursday with the under-Secretary
of Foreign Relations of Italy, Mr. Vincenzo Scotti, on official
visit in Washington, D.C.
During the meeting, held in the office of the Secretary General at
OAS Headquarters, the two exchanged views about current affairs in
the continent, with special stress on relations between Europe and
Latin America, Italian cooperation with Central America on issues
of Public Security and the Judiciary, and the evolution of
regional organizations in the hemisphere.
Italy is a Permanent Observer at the OAS since May 17, 1972. The
Italian Permanent Observer to the OAS since October 1, 2009, is
Ambassador Giulio Terzi di Sant'Agata.
OAS SECRETARY GENERAL
RECEIVES NEW AMBASSADOR AND PERMANENT OBSERVER TO THE OAS,
GUILIOMARIA TERZI DI SANT’AGATA
On October 21, OAS Secretary General José
Miguel Insulza received the new Ambassador of Italy to the U.S.,
and Permanent Observer to the OAS, His Excellency Guiliomaria
Terzi di Sant’Agata.
Secretary General Insulza welcomed Ambassador
Terzi di Sant’Agata in his new post in Washington, D.C., and
during their conversation, Ambassador Terzi di Sant’Agata offered
his support to Secretary General Insulza for his efforts at
strengthening the OAS’ role in the international community.
Ambassador Terzi di Sant’Agata further underscored his country’s
commitment to the work of the Organization in its efforts in
resolving crises of democracy. He also acknowledged the importance
of the OAS and other regional organizations in the context of the
system of global governance, and in maintaining and strengthening
positive relations between the countries of the hemisphere.
The Italian Ambassador then discussed with
the Secretary General the situation in Honduras, and expressed his
solidarity with the international community and his interest in
resolving the crisis for the sake of peace and prosperity in the
Americas. The two diplomats also reviewed the programs of the OAS
in each of the four pillars of work. Ambassador Terzi di
Sant’Agata was particularly interested to hear what the OAS is
doing in the areas of economic development and poverty reduction,
as well as its relation and function in the realm of the
inter-American legal system.
Finally, Secretary General Insulza thanked
Ambassador Terzi di Sant’Agata and renewed his commitment to
attend the upcoming Fourth National Italy – Latin America and
Caribbean Conference, to be held in Milan, Italy on December 2-3,
2009. During the Conference, Secretary General Insulza will
participate in a panel discussion on “A new phase between the
United States and Latin America’s relations.”
HIGH LEVEL FINNISH DELEGATION FROM THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN
AFFAIRS VISITS THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
OAS
Secretary General Insulza and the Director of the Department of
International Affairs, Dr. Irene Klinger, met with a delegation
from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland that included the
Director General of the Department for the Americas and Asia and
all eight ambassadors heading missions in the Americas to deepen
relations between the Organization and the Government of Finland.
Mr. Insulza spoke on the current challenges facing the hemisphere
and on the Organization’s role in addressing these issues and the
tools it has available for achieving its goals. The Finnish
delegation also received presentations from senior officials of
the Inter-American Commission for Women, the Department of
Sustainable Development, the Inter-American Commission on Human
Rights, and the Department for Electoral Cooperation and
Observation regarding the work being implemented by these bodies
in the Hemisphere.
The
Finnish delegation gave its appreciation for the updates on the
situation in Honduras and for the presentations by the technical
areas. The Head of Delegation Elina Kalkku explained that the
Ministry’s priorities for cooperation in the Hemisphere dovetail
with those of the OAS in the areas of women’s rights, sustainable
development and democracy promotion, and expressed hope that the
OAS meet with success in its promotion of a negotiated solution in
Honduras. Interest was articulated by both sides in building upon
mutual priorities to deepen the relationship, specifically via
exchange of expertise in the area of sustainable development.
The
Permanent Observer Mission of Finland to the OAS was established
in 1988, and has recently pledged €200,000 for OAS activities in
the areas of both 2009 and 2010.
September 17, 2009
THE GERMAN
MINISTRY OF ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES A
CONTRIBUTION OF €1,000,000 TO OAS ACTIVITIES FOR 2009
On September 17, a high-level delegation
from the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development
(BMZ), together with representatives of the German development
agencies, announced a contribution of €1,000,000 to be split
evenly between two OAS initiatives: “Supporting the MAPP towards
Safeguarding Victims in Colombia,” and “Support of OAS
Activities to Promote the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Latin
America.”
The announcement was made by Ms. Dorothee
Fiedler, in her capacity as head of the German delegation and
General Director for Latin America from the BMZ, within the
framework of a meeting held at OAS Headquarters with senior
officials of the OAS General Secretariat in the areas of
external relations, integral development, political affairs, and
international law to discuss priorities for cooperation in the
Hemisphere and means for deepening the partnership between the
OAS and Germany. The announcement came after the German
delegation had the opportunity to engage in a lively discussion
with OAS officials on the progress and challenges related to the
indigenous rights and Colombian victim protection projects, both
of which are currently in execution with funding from the
Ministry.
The Permanent Observer Mission of Germany
to the OAS was established in 1972, and in 2008 contributed
US$2,489,691 to OAS activities, an increase of 163% over the
prior year.
September 17, 2009
OAS SECRETARY GENERAL MEETS
WITH DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR LATIN AMERICA FOR THE EUROPEAN UNION,
STEFANO SANNINO
OAS Secretary General, José
Miguel Insulza, met with the Deputy Director for Latin America
and the Caribbean for the European Union, Stefano Sannino on
Thursday, September 17. The two discussed various issues of the
inter-American agenda including the OAS response to the crisis
in Honduras, as well as ways to improve cooperation between the
European Union and the OAS. The European Union has been a
Permanent Observer to the Organization since 1989.
PERMANENT OBSERVERS HEAR ABOUT OAS
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN BRIEFING WITH SECRETARY
GENERAL
On September 16,
representatives from nine Permanent Observer countries that are
either regular contributors or emerging donors in the area of
sustainable development met at OAS Headquarters to exchange
information with OAS representatives and staff from the
Department of Sustainable Development on recent challenges and
initiatives in this area of work.
The briefing
featured a welcome by Secretary General Insulza, and opening
remarks by Adam Blackwell, Secretary for External Relations who
welcomed the Observers to share information and experience on
this important and timely topic from the OAS experts in each of
the divisions of sustainable development: energy & climate
change, environmental law & governance, conservation &
sustainable use of biodiversity, disaster risk management, and
water resources management.
The Secretary
for the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development,
Ambassador Alfonso Quiñonez remarked that issues of sustainable
development are emerging as significant for the inter-American
agenda from the V Summit of the Americas, but have always been a
part of the dialogue between the OAS Member States. At the V
Summit, remarked Ambassador Quiñonez, the Heads of State and
Government agreed that the most vulnerable need support and we
have a shared responsibility to protect and to provide them.
After all, he noted, what happens in the environment in Latin
America and the Caribbean, happens in the environment in the
rest of the world.
Cletus Springer,
Director of the Department of Sustainable Development, provided
an overview of the Department and the environmental priorities,
challenges, opportunities and lessons learned during the past
several years. From here, the Department provided thematic
presentations on programs implemented by the OAS in Sustainable
Energy and Climate Change; Environmental Law and Governance;
Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity; Disaster Risk
Management; and, Water Resources.
Following these
presentations, Ambassador Quiñonez moderated a session of
feedback from the Permanent Observers in attendance. Despina
Manos, representative from the European Commission, spoke
briefly to the policies of the European Union with respect to
sustainable development. She noted that a great part of the
Commission’s cooperation with the Americas is in the area of
sustainable development, and believes that through new
mechanisms currently in construction in the European Union, that
cooperation will likely deepen in the coming years.
Minister-Counselor José Maria de la Torre from the Permanent
Observer Mission of Spain to the OAS, remarked that while the
OAS is not the only inter-governmental organization dealing with
these issues in the Americas, it offers the best cost to value
ratio. The OAS is capable, he noted, of performing a great deal
of work with very little resources and while Spain is
historically not a major contributor to the area of sustainable
development through the OAS, he recognizes the opportunities and
hopes to explore them more closely.
The session
ended with closing remarks by Ambassador Quiñonez and Cletus
Springer, who concluded by adding that in the coming years, the
Department of Sustainable Development hopes to capitalize on its
competitive advantage of merging the technical expertise and
policy advice by reframing the discussion of sustainable
development in the context of democracy and conflict resolution.
That is to say, by working toward achieving sustainable
development, the OAS Member States are able to bridge their
differences on a technical level.
SECRETARY GENERAL INSULZA BIDS FAREWELL
TO PERMANENT OBSERVER OF ITALY TO THE OAS, AMBASSADOR GIOVANNI
CASTELLANETA
On September 15, OAS Secretary General,
José Miguel Insulza, met with Ambassador Giovanni Castellaneta,
Permanent Observer of Italy to the OAS, to bid farewell to the
diplomat and salute him for his productive tenure as Permanent
Observer to the OAS and Ambassador of Italy to the White House.
During their
meeting, Secretary General Insulza and Ambassador Castellaneta
discussed the situation in Honduras as well as the relationship
between the OAS and Cuba in the context of General Assembly
Resolution AG/RES. 2438, “Resolution on Cuba,” in which the
General Assembly revokes Resolution VI, adopted on January 31,
1962, suspending the participation of Cuba in the OAS.
In response
Secretary General Insulza reaffirmed the Organization’s
commitment to democracy and the principles set forth in the
inter-American Democratic Charter, and highlighted his
appreciation for Italy’s support of the efforts of the
Organization in resolving the crisis in Honduras as well as
supporting democratic governance in Cuba.
Additionally,
the Secretary General reiterated his interest in attending the
Forth Annual Italy-Latin America and Caribbean Conference, to be
held in Milan, Italy from December 2-3, 2009. At the conference,
Secretary General Insulza will participate as a panelist in the
discussion on “A new phase between the United States and Latin
America’s relations” on December 3, 2009.
During
Ambassador Castellaneta’s term as Permanent Observer, Italy
increased its financial cooperation to the Organization by 65%.
The country’s continued support for the programs of the Office
of Humanitarian Demining through the Department of Public
Security has undoubtedly contributed to the program’s success in
the past few years.
Ambassador
Castellaneta will be succeeded by His Excellency Ambassador
Giuliomaria Terzi di Sant’ Agata, who most recently served as
Italy’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
OAS SECRETARY GENERAL MEETS WITH FORMER
PRESIDENT OF PORTUGAL, JORGE SAMPAIO
OAS Secretary
General, José Miguel Insulza, met with the
former President of Portugal, Jorge Sampaio, in the framework of
the Eighteenth OAS Policy Roundtable, "Learning to Live
Together: Fostering Integration, Tolerance and Diversity in the
Americas" to which Former President Sampaio was a keynote
speaker in his capacity as the United Nations High
Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations.
The Government
of Italy announced a contribution on Monday, July 27, of €70,000
to two projects in the Office of Humanitarian Demining. Of the
total funds pledged, €35,000 will be directed to the program
Mine Action in Ecuador and Peru, and the remaining €35,000 will
finance the Victim Assistance in Central American program.
Italy has been a
Permanent Observer to the OAS since 1972. Historically, Italy
contributes on average US$528,000 annually to OAS programs in
the areas of democracy promotion, human rights, supporting
access to justice, reconstruction of civil registry systems and
demining programs. In 2008 alone, Italy provided roughly
US$697,000 to the programs of the Office of Humanitarian Mine
Action (AICMA).
The funds
directed to the Mine Action in Ecuador and Peru program will
help carry out landmine clearance activities, mine risk
education, victim assistance and socioeconomic reintegration of
formerly mined zones, among others. The contribution to the
Victim Assistance in Central America program will assist in
developing the capacities of mine victims in Nicaragua to
reinsert themselves in society, including job training,
psychological care and other services.
July 28, 2009
THE
NETHERLANDS CONTRIBUTES US$346,000 TO JUDICIAL FACILITATORS
PROGRAM
On July 28, the
Organization of America States (OAS) received US$346,000 from
the Government of the Royal Kingdom of the Netherlands to
support the Inter-American Judicial Facilitators program in
Nicaragua.
The Judicial
Facilitators Program, administered by the Department of
International Law of the OAS Secretariat for Legal Affairs,
provides training to intermediaries to act as representatives
between the community and the Nicaraguan judicial system. This
program seeks to improve access to the judiciary for rural and
poor communities that often lack the necessary capacities and
knowledge to access their rights as citizens.Since 2000,this program is known to have a positive impact on improving
the existing judicial system in Nicaragua.
The Netherlands,
which became a Permanent Observer to the Organization in 1972,
is an important donor to priority OAS programs, contributing
approximately US$1.2 million annually. Other projects supported
include the Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia,
the Inter-American Children’s Institute, electoral observation
missions, sustainable development and gender equity. The
Netherlands also is an active donor to OAS programs at the
Embassy-level in its Member States.
July 22, 2009
SWEDEN GIVES
MORE THAN US$130,000 FOR OAS RAPPORTEUR OF FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
On July 22,
2009, the OAS received US$130,535 from the Government of Sweden
to support activities of the Office of the Special Rapporteur
for Freedom of Expression in the Americas.
The Rapporteur
for Freedom of Expression was created in 1997 by the
Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR) to address
urgent situations that merit the adoption of precautionary
measures to protect the life, personal integrity, freedom of
expression, and other human rights concerns, among others.
The work of the
Office of the Special Rapporteur has contributed to important
legislative reforms, including the adoption by nine OAS Member
States of the crime of contempt of court,
recognizing its incompatibility with the right to freedom of
expression. Similarly, several other States, including Trinidad
& Tobago, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Ecuador have approved
important laws on access to public information.
Sweden, which
has been an Observer to the OAS since 1996, is a primary donor
to the Organization. The country contributes around US$3 million
annually to programs in the areas of democracy promotion and
electoral observation missions, humanitarian demining, the
inter-American Children’s Institute, access to the judiciary,
support to the peace process in Colombia and legislative
modernization, in addition to its long-standing support to human
rights programs.
July 22, 2009
LUXEMBOURG
CONTRIBUTES US$49,989 TO OAS STRENGTHENING JUSTICE IN THE
AMERICAS
The OAS received
on July 22, 2009 a contribution of US$49,989 from the Government
of Luxembourg that will support the Inter-American Commission on
Human Rights’ activities towards Strengthening Justice in the
Americas.
The
Inter-American Commission of Human Rights (IACHR) is an
autonomous organ of the OAS, whose mandate is found in the OAS
Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights. The IACHR
carries out on-site visits to observe the general human rights
situation in a country or investigates specific violations.
The funds
provided by Luxembourg will reinforce the mechanism for bringing
cases to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, including
support to the preparation of the application before the Court,
elaboration of the case strategy, selecting witnesses and
documentary evidence, as well as monitoring the proceedings
before the Court, particularly the deadlines in the case, and
the preparation of the legal arguments.
Luxembourg has
been a Permanent Observer with the Organization since 2004. The
country has given contributions to the Inter-American Commission
on Human Rights and the Secretariat for Political Affairs in the
past.
July 22, 2009
A Memorandum of Understanding
between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the
Republic of Korea and the OAS was signed on July 22, 2009. The
objective is to support the inclusion of Korean
students in the GS/OAS Internship program. The joint
Korea-GS/OAS Internship Program, which will be implemented by
the Departments of International Affairs and Human Resources,
will place young Koreans in internships for six month periods at
GS/OAS headquarters.
The signing
of this agreement is the beginning of many new joint efforts
to come, as well as the continuation of the efforts
initiated in 1981 with Korean predecessors when Korea became
permanent Observer.
Representatives
from 24 Permanent Observer countries convened at OAS
Headquarters on July 8 by invitation from OAS Secretary General
José Miguel Insulza and Assistant Secretary General Albert
Ramdin for a briefing on the situation in Honduras and the
efforts of the OAS in restoring democratic order in the
country.
After a short
welcome from the Director of the Department of International
Affairs, Irene Klinger, Secretary General Insulza gave an
overview of the events leading to the military coup d’état in
Honduras on Sunday June 28, 2009. Insulza explained the
underlying tensions existing in the country relating to the
planned consultation to possibly convene a Constitutional
Assembly and the events that ensued.
The Secretary
General also addressed the reaction of the international
community and the role of the OAS in resolving the conflict. He
recognized that the European Union was the first organization to
issue a statement condemning the coup, and commented that he is
pleased to see that the international community is joining
efforts in support of the reinstatement of the
democratically-elected President. Insulza noted that this
support conveys an important message that these actions will not
be tolerated and that there is no acceptable solution that does
not involve the reinstatement of President Zelaya,
While the
official OAS Mission to Honduras did not succeed in negotiating
the return of President Zelaya, the Inter-American Democratic
Charter requires the Secretary General use all diplomatic tools
available to restore democratic order. Unfortunately, he noted,
the results of the trip required the OAS Member States to invoke
Article 21 of the Democratic Charter, which was done last
Saturday July 4th, through Resolution AG/RES 2 (XXXVII E/09)
suspending Honduras from membership in the OAS. The actions
against the de-facto government of Honduras by the OAS mark the
first occasion where a country has been suspended from the
Organization in the context of the Inter-American Democratic
Charter, calling attention to the strength of the document and
its support. The Secretary General asserted that with the help
of the international community - specifically the designated
mediator, President Oscar Arias of Costa Rica, the OAS and the
United Nations – he is hopeful this crisis will be resolved
soon.
Following these
remarks, Secretary General Insulza fielded questions from the
Permanent Observer representatives, including those from the
Holy See, Sweden, the Netherlands, Serbia and Croatia. Among the
inquiries, Gerald Flood, representative from the Holy See, asked
the Secretary General about what the OAS expects to achieve in
the resolution process given the de facto government is not
willing to negotiate the return of President Zelaya. Insulza
responded with the hope that the process of diplomacy will help
to address some of the concerns of the parties involved, and
will entail compromise on both sides of the disagreement.
Wijnand Marchal
of The Netherlands asked whether there has been any concern
within the region that as a result of the events in Honduras,
similar uprisings against their respective
democratically-elected governments might occur. Insulza
commented that there is, of course, unease among neighboring
governments, but assured the Permanent Observers that the
Honduran case is unique in that not only has the reaction from
the international community set a precedent on sanctions against
coups, but also there has not been anything to suggest another
military coup would occur in reaction to Honduras.
In addressing
the efforts of the OAS, Dario Mihelin from the Embassy of
Croatia, noted that some media has portrayed the OAS’ actions as
post-facto and not preventive. In response, Secretary General
Insulza noted that the OAS carries with it a respect for state
sovereignty. It is the responsibility of the states,
individually, to act. He remarked that as the situation
developed, there were a series of consultations relating to the
escalation of the crisis, but that much of the international
community did not anticipate the coup. He asserted that the OAS
and the remainder of the international community reacted quickly
and with the diplomatic tools afforded to them.
Secretary
General Insulza closed the session by commenting quickly that
the negotiations on the return of President Zelaya to the
presidency of Honduras will continue. The OAS will work toward
the safe and peaceful resolution of this crisis to democratic
order, and will continue to keep the Observers involved in the
process of dialogue.
On June 11, OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin met
with the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Antilles,
Emily Saidy de Jongh-Elhage. The two discussed OAS cooperation
with the Dutch Antilles, and Prime Minister Jongh-Elhage
received a tour of OAS headquarters from the Department of
International Affairs.
THE NETHERLANDS PROVIDES
FINAL BOOST TO NICARAGUA’S HUMANITARIAN DEMINING PLAN
The Dutch government made a contribution of
1.1 million dollars to the Program for Comprehensive Action
against Antipersonnel Mines of the Organization of American
States (OAS) in order to finalize Nicaragua’s National Demining
Plan.
The donation is quite significant because
it enables clearance of the remaining areas in Nueva Segovia and
Jinotega departments, thereby making Nicaragua and all of
Central America mine-free. It is also the first time an
international donor provides funding specifically for the
recovery of cleared lands.
Holland’s donation was formalized in
Managua at a signing ceremony between the Netherlands’ Chief of
Mission Lambert C. Grijns and Pedro Vuskovic, OAS Representative
in Nicaragua, with the presence of both the Danish and Japanese
ambassadors plus Nicaragua’s Secretary General of the Ministry
of Defense and high level military officials on Monday June 8,
2009.
The governments of Denmark and Japan complemented with
bilateral contributions as their ambassadors in Managua pledged
support at the joint ceremony in Nicaragua’s Ministry of Foreign
Relations.
“The Netherlands has always considered
humanitarian demining an integral part of national development,
and is increasingly giving priority to socioeconomic development
and productive activities in areas cleared of mines” stated
Grijns as he signed the donation agreement making possible the
completion of the Nicaraguan humanitarian demining program.
Ambassador Grijns also expressed his
satisfaction for “the work and effort of the Nicaraguan Army as
an independent and professional institution.” He also
acknowledged Denmark’s and Japan’s contributions.
The OAS has been assisting Nicaragua for
the last eighteen years in removing over 171,000 antipersonnel
mines throughout the country and facilitating the physical and
psychological recovery of the 1,144 registered landmine
surviving victims. During that timeframe, the program’s
mine-safe messages have been carried over a million times person
to person and by radio broadcast effectively reducing the number
of landmine accidents in the country.
“We reached this day thanks to the hard and
courageous work of hundreds of Nicaraguan soldiers and their
officers in removing antipersonnel mines; and thanks to the
cooperation of several countries that donated resources much
like Holland is doing today.” said Vuskovic.
The OAS program assists national
humanitarian demining programs in complying with the “Convention
on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and
Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction,”
better known as the Ottawa Convention. With financial support
from Denmark, Japan, and other donors, the OAS provided
assistance for the completion of humanitarian demining programs
in Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala.
On June 1,
representatives from 35 Permanent Observer countries met for a
luncheon at the Hotel Intercontinental in San Pedro Sula,
Honduras with the Heads of Delegation of the 34 Member States of
the OAS and the Assistant Secretary General to dialogue on the
cooperation between the Permanent Observers and the
Organization, as well as to discuss points of interest relating
to this topic of this year’s General Assembly, “Toward a Culture
of Nonviolence.” The Dialogue began with introductory remarks by
the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of
Honduras, Patricia Licona Cubero, who offered her welcome on
behalf of Honduras and invited the Permanent Observer
participants to exchange opinions and points of view with the
Member States and Assistant Secretary General on themes of the
Inter-American Agenda. Assistant Secretary General Albert
Ramdin, then provided a brief overview of the role Observers
play in the Organization, noting that the Permanent Observers in
2008 contributed a total of US$25.8 million in cash, and
US$354,732 in kind – an increase of 21.4% from 2007 – and
provided contributions in all areas of the OAS, ranging from
democracy promotion, security, human rights and development.
Moderated by Vice
Minister Licona, the Dialogue saw interventions from the
following Permanent Observers: Spain, France, Italy, Germany,
China, Ireland, Korea, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Israel, the
European Commission, the United Kingdom, Austria, Finland,
Croatia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Japan, Egypt, Belgium, the Russian
Federation, and Nigeria. The Observers spoke on everything from
the theme of the Assembly, their historic levels of
contribution, collaboration between the OAS and other regional
organizations, as well as offered pledges on their contributions
for 2009-2010. Most representatives remarked that their
financial contributions are still to be determined, but
committed themselves to maintaining their presence within the
Organization and to supporting, as best and as often as
possible, the work of the OAS in all technical areas.
Additionally, the
Dialogue saw remarks from representatives of the OAS Member
States of: Colombia, Chile, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, and
Jamaica. All the Heads of Delegation of the OAS Member States
praised the Permanent Observers for their commitment to
supporting the peoples of the Americas through the programs of
the OAS. In thanking the Observers for both their moral and
financial contributions to the OAS, the Member States called on
the Observers to increase their contributions even in times of
crisis. Indeed, they addressed how the issue of nonviolence in
particular should mobilize the Observers to increase their
presence within the Organization as such an issue transcends
borders and impacts the entire world.
The Dialogue
closed with short remarks by Vice Minister Licona and Ambassador
Ramdin, who once again lauded the efforts of the Permanent
Observers in engaging with the Hemisphere through the
Organization’s initiatives, and assured them that their
contributions are truly significant to improving the lives of
the peoples of the Americas.
May 27, 2009
On May 27, 2009, the
Government of the People’s Republic of China underscored its
support for OAS activities with a contribution of US$72,000.
The project, “Fostering Cultural Diversity and Creative
Expression through Education,” will receive US$25,000 and will
fund the Department of Education and Culture’s joint
international workshop of high-authorities on culture. The
initiative, “Income Generation and Active Employment Policies
for Populations in Conditions of Poverty and Vulnerability of
the Americas,” will receive US$47,000 to support its development
by the Department of Social Development and Employment to
mitigate the effects of the current economic crisis on the most
vulnerable groups.
April
29, 2009
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States
(OAS), José Miguel Insulza, and the Permanent Observer of Spain
to the hemispheric institution, Ambassador Javier Sancho, signed
Wednesday a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to regulate how
Spanish observers take part in OAS Electoral Observation
Missions.
According to the MOU, Spain will suggest up to ten possible
observers to the OAS General Secretariat to join an Electoral
Observation Mission and will finance their travels. The OAS
General Secretariat will fully integrate the observers within
the mission and will finance both their daily allowances and
their insurance premiums.
The signing took place at the office of the OAS Secretary
General at the OAS Headquarters in Washington DC. Participants
also included the OAS Assistant Secretary General, Ambassador
Albert Ramdin, the Chairman of the OAS Permanent Council and
Permanent Representative of Canada to the OAS, Ambassador Graeme
Clark, and the Director of the OAS Department of Cooperation and
Electoral Observation, Mr. Pablo Gutiérrez, among others.
Full Press Release
The
OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, met with the
Moroccan Ambassador to the United States, the Permanent Observer
of that country to the OAS, Mr. Aziz Mekouar. The purpose of
this meeting was to
increase mutual
understanding
about the region and strengthen cooperation between the
Government of Morocco and
the OAS. Prior to this meeting, Ms. Irene Klinger, the Director
of the Department of International Affairs met with Amb.
Mekouar on February 11, 2009, at the Moroccan Embassy to confer
about possibilities for enhancing collaboration between the OAS
and the Government of Morocco. On this occasion,
Ambassador Mekouar had emphasized
the importance of the work being done by the OAS in the areas of
democracy promotion, economic growth, and development in the
region, and he had expressed the interest and intent of the
Government of Morocco to explore avenues for more actively
supporting these crucial endeavors.
On April 24, OAS Secretary General José
Miguel Insulza met with the European Commissioner responsible
for Economic and Monetary Affairs, Joaquín Almunia at OAS
Headquarters. The two discussed EU-LAC relations and the impact
of the economic crisis on trade relations.
Former President of Ireland and United Nations High
Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson praised the steps
taken by Member States of the Organization of American States
(OAS) on Human Rights, and invited them to take the lead on the
matter.
“I was really encouraged both by what was said and by the steps
that the OAS has already taken in this regard, which I think are
ahead of other regions,” she said at the end of her speech at
the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs of the
hemispheric institution, in a meeting that took place on
Wednesday at the Bolivar Hall of the OAS Headquarters in
Washington, DC.
Ms. Robinson especially highlighted the role played by the
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), the
Inter-American Court of Human Rights and in general de OAS in
“promoting” Human Rights “not only in the Americas, but also
globally”.
Full Press Release
The OAS Secretary General Insulza met
today with more than 39 representatives from 35 the Permanent
Observer countries. This meeting took place at OAS
Headquarters Guerrero Room at 10:30AM and offered a unique
opportunity for Permanent Observer representatives to exchange
views with the Secretary General on the developments in the
region, on the upcoming
V Summit of the Americas
which will take place in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago from
April 17 -19, 2009, and on the 39th Regular Session of the OAS
General Assembly.
On April 7, the
OAS
Secretary General Insulza met with the former Minister of
Foreign Affairs of Morocco, Mohamed Benaissa. This meeting was
held to discuss issues of common interest and potential
collaboration between Fundación del Foro de Assilah and
the OAS.
On April 7, 2009, the OAS Secretary General Insulza met with
the Undersecretary of State, Vincenzo Scotti. Among other issues
discussed, Mr. Scotti invited the OAS Member States to
participate in the upcoming Italo-Latin American Conference
which will be held in Italy on May 27th, 2009.
March 16, 2009
On March 16, 2009, the
Government of the United Kingdom entered
into an agreement with the OAS General Secretariat to provide
£200,000 to the Secretariat for Political
Affairs/Department of Sustainable Democracy's Peace Fund, in
support of the legal fees associated with the Belize/Guatemala
border conflict being adjudicated at the International Court of
Justice.
March 16, 2009
On March 16, Secretary General José
Miguel Insulza met with the Permanent Observer of France to
the OAS, Ambassador Marie-France Pagnier. The two discussed
the inter-American agenda and French cooperation with the
organization.
On February 20, 2009, OAS Secretary General received a
courtesy visit from the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia
and Herzegovnia, Sven Alkalaj. The two leaders met to discuss
the role of the OAS in the Americas and expanding Bosnia's
stance in global affairs through increased cooperation with
the OAS Member States.
Ambassador Aziz Mekouar, Permanent Observer of Morocco to the
Organization of American States (OAS) and Dr. Klinger,
Secretary for External Relations, a.i., met on February
11, 2009 at the Moroccan Embassy to discuss the possibilities
for enhancing collaboration between the OAS and the Government
of the Kingdom of Morocco.
Dr. Klinger opened the meeting by sharing
the priorities, work areas, and pillars of the OAS. Within
the Organization’s four pillars – strengthening democracy,
integral development, multidimensional security, and the
protection of human rights – Dr. Klinger detailed a number of
the noteworthy OAS programs being implemented throughout the
Americas.
Ambassador Mekouar underscored the
importance of bilateral relations between the Government of
Morocco and various countries throughout the Americas,
particularly those that maintain diplomatic relations with
Morocco. The Ambassador also highlighted the interest of the
Moroccan Government in the work carried out by the OAS in the
areas of economic growth, the promotion democracy, and
sustainable development and expressed the intent to explore
avenues for increased support these crucial endeavors.
January 28, 2009
On January 28, 2009, representatives from the Inter-American
Commission of Women (CIM), hosted by the Department of
International Affairs, met with donor country representatives
to discuss the Commission’s 2009-2010 Biennial Work Plan, and
highlight the important contributions made in advancing the
rights of women in the hemisphere.
The Biennial Work Plan, presented by the
President of CIM, Laura Albornoz Pollman, Minister of the
National Service for Women in Chile, features advancements in
much of the work already done by CIM in the past several
years, in addition to new programs on women and voting rights,
access to the judiciary and violence prevention. According to
Minister Albornoz, the CIM intends to build discussion of the
role of women’s rights throughout the various political organs
and technical areas of the OAS. Minister Albornoz underscored
the need to view women’s rights as a cross-cutting issue, and
how the Biennial Work Plan aims to take advantage of this
understanding by increasing the visibility and awareness of
the Commission’s work through the creation of a space for
dialogue between the Member States in the context of the
General Assembly and the Summits of the Americas.
Representatives from donor Permanent
Observer countries as well as Mexico, Chile, the United States
and Canada were also on hand to strengthen to the dialogue on CIM’s commitments in the coming years. The Ambassadors and
representatives from Spain, the European Commission, Canada,
the USA and Mexico took the opportunity to discuss their
countries’ programs with regard to advancing women’s rights in
the hemisphere, and ask questions regarding CIM’s programmatic
outline for the two years. Of those countries who offered
commentary, all reiterated their assurances of support to the
work of the Commission in the biennial.
On November 19, 2008 at
OAS Headquarters in Washington, D.C., the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain, Miguel Angel Moratinos, joined OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza, to
sign the 2009 Operative Plan for the Spanish Fund of the OAS. For the 2009
fiscal year, the Spanish Government has generously reaffirmed its cooperation
with the General Secretariat with a contribution to the Spanish Fund of US$13.5 million, an increase of over US$3 million from the previous year.
The Spanish Fund of the OAS, established in 2006, was designed to strengthen
collaboration between Spain and the OAS in the areas of democracy, security,
human prosperity and integral development, as well as to support reinforcement
of the institutional and human resources of the OAS General Secretariat. Contributions to the Spanish Fund are made annually to the General Secretariat,
and are distributed to the various technical areas on the programmatic basis.
On January 23, 2009, OAS Secretary General José
Miguel Insulza met with the Ambassador of Luxembourg to the
United States, and Permanent Observer to the OAS, Jean-Paul Senninger. The Secretary General and Ambassador Senninger met
to discuss Luxembourg's cooperation with the OAS, and explored
ways to advance this relationship in the coming years.
On November 17, OAS
Secretary General José Miguel Insulza met with Ambassador
Alexandros Mallias, Permanent Observer of Greece to the OAS. Secretary General
Insulza and Ambassador Mallias discussed Greek cooperation in the Americas and
with the OAS. The Greek ambassador expressed his intention to strengthen Greek
cooperation with the Organization and in the Americas. He was particularly
interested in learning of the OAS perspective on challenges in the region, and
concluded the meeting by offering his congratulations to the OAS Secretary
General on the achievements of his OAS administration in strengthening
democracy, human rights, security and promoting integral development in the
Americas. Recently, Greece announced its intentions to finance programs of
the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD).
From November 10 to 14
2008, Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), Ambassador Albert Ramdin, and the Director of International Affairs, Dr. Irene
Klinger, traveled to Europe to meet with governmental officials in an effort to
establish priorities for strengthening collaboration with the OAS.
In London, the OAS delegation met with Parliament Member, Gillian Merron,
Permanent Under- Secretary of State of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in
addition to 15 ambassadors from Latin American and the Caribbean at a gathering
hosted by the Colombian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Noemi Sanín.
Similarly, Assistant Secretary General Ramdin delivered the keynote speech at
the conference “Making Trade Work for Development in Latin America,” that took
place at the Chatham House, an internationally renowned think tank. High level
officials and experts attended the event in which Ramdin talked about new approaches to trade policy in the Americas.
In Netherlands, OAS officials also attended the three-day “Global Forum on
Leadership for Shared Societies: Building a world safe for difference,” hosted
by the Club de Madrid in Rotterdam, Netherlands. The delegation also met with
Ambassador Joke Brandt, Deputy Director of International Cooperation for the Ministry of Development Cooperation, to discuss opportunities for collaboration
in the areas of fragile states, economic distribution and growth, environmental
sustainability, and women’s rights.
The meeting was viewed as largely successful in advancing support from the
Foreign Ministry of the Netherlands to OAS activities in the areas of democracy
and human rights.
On November 3, 2008, OAS
Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, met with Italian Ambassador to the
United States and Permanent Observer to the OAS, Ambassador Giovanni
Castellaneta. Ambassador Castellaneta and Secretary General Insulza discussed
Italy's ongoing collaboration with the Organization, including the country's
continued commitment to the OAS Action Against Antipersonnel Mines Program (AICMA)
through the Secretariat for Multidimensional Security. The meeting between the
two representatives took place just days following an announcement made by the
Government of Italy to contribute over €200,000 to various
OAS programs in the region.
On October 23, 2008, the OAS
Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, received a visit from Regina Veronica
Maria Jones-Bos, the current Permanent Observer of the Netherlands to the OAS
and Ambassador of the Netherlands to the United States. Secretary General Insulza took the opportunity to congratulate Ambassador Jones-Bos on her recent
appointment of Permanent Observer and welcomed her to the Organization. The two
spoke about various topics on the inter-American agenda, including an exchange
on cooperation between the Netherlands and the OAS. The Secretary General spoke
to the historically strong degree of cooperation between the Netherlands and the
OAS, noting that the Netherlands was the first country to contribute to the OAS Misión de Apoyo al Proceso de Paz en Colombia (MAPP/OEA) program. Secretary
General Insulza added the support of the Netherlands to OAS programs is highly
valued, but also addressed the challenges the Organization is facing in terms of
implementation of its mandates, and appealed to the Ambassador for stronger
collaboration.
On
October 23, 2008, OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza welcomed to OAS
Headquarters, Ambassador Sergey Kislyak, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to
the United States and current Permanent Observer to the OAS.
Secretary General Insulza offered his congratulations to the
Ambassador for his recent appointment to the Embassy of Russia
in the United States and as Permanent Observer to the Organization.
Ambassador Kislyak and the Secretary General discussed the various commercial relationships Russia shares with countries in the region, and spoke
of ways to strengthen the capacity of Latin
America to compete in the global market. Secretary General Insulza discussed the
work of the Organization and Russia’s collaboration with the OAS as Permanent
Observer. He emphasized the desire for Russia to become more involved in the
work of the Organization and underscored the necessity for increased cooperation
between the country and the OAS.
On October 14, His Royal Highness Prince Mired bin Ra'ad bin
Zeid al-Hussein of Jordan visited OAS headquarters in his
capacity as President of the Eighth Meeting of the States
Parties (8MSP) to the Convention on the Prohibition of the
Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Antipersonnel
Landmines and on their Destruction. During a breakfast meeting
with the OAS Secretary General José
Miguel Insulza, Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin,
Member States and Permanent Observers, the Prince offered his
congratulations for its ongoing work in the area of demining
and stressed the importance of continued cooperation on this
effort by both Member States and Permanent Observers.
Secretary General Insulza took the opportunity to highlight
the achievements of the OAS Program against Antipersonnel
Landmines and concluded by extending his gratitude to the
donor countries, including Permanent Observers: Denmark, the
European Union, France, Italy, Japan, Korea, Norway, Spain,
Sweden and the United Kingdom.
On October 15, 2008, the OAS
Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza,
met with the Permanent Observer of Bulgaria to the OAS,
Ambassador Elena Borislavova Poptodorova. The two discussed
Bulgaria's role in the Organization as Permanent Observer,
current events in the Western Hemisphere and engaged in dialogue on strengthening the relationship between the
Organization and Bulgaria.
On October 14, 2008 Benin has been
granted the status of Permanent Observer to the Organization
of American States, pursuant to General Assembly resolution
AG/RES. 50 (I-O/71) and resolution
CP/RES.945 (1666/08) of
the Permanent Council.
October 14, 2008
On October 14, 2008 Iceland has been
granted the status of Permanent Observer to the Organization
of American States, pursuant to General Assembly resolution
AG/RES. 50 (I-O/71) and resolution
CP/RES.944 (1666/08) of
the Permanent Council.
October 10, 2008
On October 10, the OAS Permanent Council
held a
Protocolary Meeting to commemorate "The Discovery of the Americas: Encounter of Two Worlds."
The event was held to honor the 1492
discovery of the Americas by Spanish explorer Christopher Columbus, and
featured insights by members of the Permanent Council and
others on the evolution of the Americas since its discovery by
the Spanish in the fifteenth century.
On October 9, Assistant Secretary General,
Albert Ramdin, received a courtesy visit from the Permanent Observer from the United Kingdom to the OAS, Ambassador
Dominick Chilcott. The two discussed the United Kingdom's
role as Permanent Observer with the Organization and worked to
discover additional areas of mutual collaboration.
Mr. Stefano Sannino, Director for Latin America of the
European Commission met on September 24, 2008 with OAS
Assistant Secretary General, Ambassador Albert Ramdin and
Ambassador Suzanne Laporte, Secretary for External Relations
of the OAS, to strengthen cooperation between the European
Union and the Organization of Americas States, and to identify
areas for increased collaboration. Mr. Sannino was accompanied
with Luc Veron, Minister Counselor and Head of Political and
Development, Delegation of the European Commission in US and Despina Manos Advisor Political & Development Delegation of
the European Commission to the US. The delegation also took
the opportunity to meet with the Executive Secretary of the
Inter-American Commission of Human Rights, the Secretary for
Multidimensional Security and the Secretariat for Political
Affairs to discuss OAS work in those areas.
During the meeting, it was suggested that
the two entities develop a framework agreement in areas agreed
to by both parties in order to achieve more harmonious and
effective collaboration. In addition, the representatives
discussed the opportunity for development of a program of
exchange of technical expertise between the EU and OAS on
their approaches to confronting regional challenges as a
potential mechanism for increased cooperation to strengthen
the work of both organizations.
On August 22, the Secretary General met with the
Foreign Advisor to the President of the Republic of Serbia,
Mr. Jovan Ratkovic. He was accompanied by Vladimir Petrovic,
Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia to
the U.S. and Permanent Observer to the OAS as well as Jelena
Cukic Matic, Counselor of the Embassy of Serbia to the US.
August 4, 2008
On August 4, Assistant Secretary General welcomed the
new Permanent Observer of Spain to the OAS,
H.E. Ambassador Javier Sancho. Spain has held the status of
Permanent Observer to the OAS since January 1972.
On July 21 the OAS Secretary General welcomed French
ambassadors Jean-Paul Dumont and Marie- France Pagnier to the
OAS to discuss how the Permanent Observer and the Organization
can benefit from strengthened cooperation on key issues
impacting the hemisphere.
At the request of the Permanent
Mission of Peru (CP/doc.4322/08), a Special Permanent Council
Meeting was held on June 26, 2008, at 10:30 a.m., in the Simón
Bolívar Room at OAS Headquarters. The purpose of this meeting
was to discuss the recently approved "Rule of Return of Illegal Immigrants" by the European Parliament. The
Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Peru, Colombia as well as the
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of Paraguay addressed the
Permanent Council on this complex issue. The Permanent Representatives of the OAS Member States also expressed their
views on the impact of this directive, followed by remarks
from the Permanent Representatives of the European Union and
Slovenia.
Ambassador
John Bruton, Permanent Observer of the
European Union to the OAS, addressed his
concern over
the apprehension of the citizens of the Americas regarding the
new directive. He noted that the regulation does not
criminalize migration, but rather seeks to help the EU
better regulate both illegal and legal migration. He concluded by
underscoring the necessity for comprehensive immigration reform in order to develop more appropriate safeguards against the exploitation
of illegal immigrants.
On
June 25, the OAS
Secretary General, José
Miguel Insulza, met with the Ambassador of Italy to the United
States, Giovanni Castellaneta. The two leaders met to discuss
areas of mutual interest between the OAS and Italy and ways in
which the Organization and Government of Italy could
strengthen its collaboration. Italy is one of the oldest
Observers to the OAS, and has been accredited the status since May 17, 1972.
The OAS Secretary General, José
Miguel Insulza, presented to the Permanent Council on June 24,
2008, the Eleventh Report of the Mission to Support the Peace
Process in Colombia (MAPP/OAS). This report gives an
assessment to the current situation in Colombia, provides
recommendations and states its conclusion about the process
thus far. The Secretary General, as well as Colombia's
Permanent Representative to the OAS thanked Member States as
well as the Permanent Observer countries who have helped
finance the Mission, and expressed their strong desire to move
ahead with the peace process.
On
June 17, the Government of
Italy pledged its support to OAS
projects in the areas of: Action Against
Antipersonnel Mines
and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. The total
282,000 Euros will go to support humanitarian demining,
education and technical equipment in the Cordillera del Condor (between Peru and Ecuador), Colombia, and Nicaragua; in
addition, over 75,000 Euros will fund will be allocated to strengthening justice through the Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights.
On June 1 and June 3, the Department of International Affairs
of the Secretariat for External Relations will host the Dialogue between the Heads of Delegation, the OAS Secretary
General and the Heads of Delegation of the Permanent Observer
Countries at the XXXVIII Regular Session of the OAS General
Assembly in Medellín, Colombia.
On May 22, 2008, the OAS Secretary General, José
Miguel Insulza, welcome the Prime Minister of Aruba, Nelson Oduber to OAS Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Aruba, a
country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is situated
just off the coast of South America near Venezuela. Secretary General Insulza and Prime Minister Oduber used the opportunity to discuss
developments in the Latin American region, in general, and
more specifically updates with regard to the Colombia-Ecuador
situation.
On May 13, 2008, Secretary General José
Miguel Insulza; Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin; the Permanent Representative of Colombia to the OAS, Camilo Ospina;
Director of the Secretariat for External Relations, Suzanne Laporte; and, Director of the Department of International
Affairs, Irene Klinger, met with representatives from the
Permanent Observer countries to discuss their role in the
upcoming
38th General Assembly to be held in Medellín, Colombia
from June 1-3. The Permanent Observers will take part in a
dialogue with the Secretary General and Heads of Delegation of
the OAS Member States on June 1, and are invited to attended
various meetings and functions throughout the General Assembly.
On May 13, 2008, the Secretary General of the
Organization of American States, José
Miguel Insulza, met with the Permanent Observer of Russia to
the OAS, Yuri V. Ushakov. The Russian Federation has been a Permanent Observer to the OAS since April 1, 1992.
On May 9, 2008 Iceland was been
granted the status of Permanent Observer to the Organization
of American States, pursuant to General Assembly resolution
AG/RES. 50 (I-O/71) and resolution CP/RES. 936 (1650/08) of
the Permanent Council.
April 28, 2008
From April 28, OAS Secretary General
José
Miguel Insulza met with the Permanent Observer of
Denmark to the OAS, Friis Arne Peterson to discuss ongoing
cooperation between the Organization and the Observer country.
From June 3-5, Heads of Delegation from the OAS Member States
will participate in the XXXVIII
Regular
Session of the OAS General Assembly being held in
Medellín, Colombia. On June 1, a
dialogue will take place between the Heads of Delegation, the OAS
Secretary General and the Heads of Delegation of the Permanent
Observer countries. More information will be made available in
the coming weeks. The dialogue will revolve around the topic
of this year's General Assembly: "Youth and Democratic
Values."
March 25, 2008
On March 25, OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza
forwarded to the Permanent Council for its approval the
request of His Excellency Ingibjorg Solrun Gisladottir,
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Iceland, to be granted the
status of Permanent Observer to the Organization of American
States. For its part, Iceland's foreign policy objectives
fully support the efforts of the OAS in strengthening
cooperation on democratic values, promoting human rights,
fostering the environment and sustainable development, as well
as advancing fair trade and confronting shared problems such
as poverty, terrorism and corruption.
March 20, 2008
On March 20,
OAS
Secretary General José
Miguel Insulza met with the Permanent Observer of Norway, Wegger Chr. Strommen.
The OAS hosts Ministers of Foreign Affairs for Meeting
of Consultations
On March 5, the OAS Permanent Missions and some Permanent
Observers met to discuss the situation between Colombia and
Ecuador that took place on March 1, 2008. On March 17, the
Missions and Observers reconvened to receive the report of the
report of the Commission headed by the Secretary General
regarding these events.
The Permanent Observers participate in the Special Meeting
to treat the Situation between Colombia and Ecuador
On March 5, the Permanent
Observers participated along with delegations from the OAS
Member States in the Special Meeting convened by the OAS
Permanent Council seeking to resolve the situation between Colombia and Ecuador that took place on March 1, 2008. The
Permanent Observers engaged in dialogue with the OAS
representatives, actively seeking to help the OAS delegations
seek a resolution to this matter.
On February
19, OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin met with
Gerhard Enver Schrömbgens, Director for Latin American and
Caribbean in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of
Germany.
On February
14, OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza and Dante
Caputo, Undersecretary for Political Affairs, met with
French Foreign and European Affairs Minister, Bernard Koucher,
and Foreign Affairs and Human Rights Secretary, Rama Yade, in
Paris to discuss issues pertaining to the Americas. On the
agenda for the meeting included discussions regarding the
ongoing process of a humanitarian agreement with the FARC, the
situation in Haiti, human rights and the efforts to combat
drug trafficking.
Breakfast between the Secretary General and Permanent
Observers:" Assessing the Americas"
On February 4, OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza met
with more than 40 representatives from the Permanent
Observer countries in a breakfast organized by the
Department of International Affairs. The breakfast was an
opportunity for the Secretary General to assess the
situation in the Americas as well as express gratitude on
behalf of the Organization of American States to the
Permanent Observer countries for their continued support to
OAS programs. The Secretary General spoke at the breakfast
with the underlying theme of continued cooperation between
the Permanent Observers and the OAS. He gave an overview of
the situation in the Americas and addressed issues of
economic growth and challenges affecting the region.
Additionally, the Secretary General spoke of poverty and
inequality, organized crime, drugs and human trafficking,
political change, issues regarding regional integration,
free markets and constitutional reforms of Bolivia and Ecuador.
The breakfast also provided a forum for open dialogue
between the Secretary General and the participating
representatives on concerns and issues impacting the
hemisphere.
On November 26, the Permanent Representative of Spain to the
OAS opened a photography exhibition to be displayed in the
OAS historic headquarters in Washington, D.C.
OAS Secretary General,
José Miguel Insulza, attended the inauguration of Spain's
new
mission to the OAS. Minister of Foreign
Affairs Miguel Angel Moratinos unveiled a commemorative
plaque.
His
Majesty, the King of Spain, has decided to honor Irene
Klinger, Director of the Department of International Affairs,
for her outstanding work in the international arena.
Mrs. Klinger was given this award at a ceremony today on the
occasion of the anniversary of the Discovery of the Americas,
which took place after the 11:30 protocolary session in the
Patio tropical.
On October 12, Sweden's Permanent Observer to the OAS,
Ambassador Jonas Hafstrom, made his first official visit to
the Organization. At this time, Ambassador Hafstrom met with
Secretary General José
Miguel Insulza,
to discuss a range of issues of mutual interest between
Sweden and the Organization. Sweden has held been a
Permanent Observer to the OAS since 1996.
OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza meets with
Permanent Observer of China to the OAS, Ambassador Zhou
Wenzhong, on the occasion of Shangai World Exhibition.
Assistant Secretary General, Albert R. Ramdin, meets with the
Alternate Permanent Observer of China to
the OAS, Ambassador Wei Quiang at OAS Headquarters in
Washington, D.C.
Hours before the inauguration of the
37th annual General
Assembly in Panama City, Panama, member state heads of delegation met with the
Permanent Observers.
OAS Secretary General
José Miguel Insulza met with
Spain's Secretary of State for Ibero-America, Trinidad
Jiménez, under the auspice of the Twentieth Lecture Series
of the Americas.
OAS Secretary General
José Miguel Insulza participated in a forum
entitled "Diálogos sobre Incidencia de los organismos
políticos regionales en la gobernabilidad y seguridad jurídica
en Iberoamérica" at the Istituto Internacional in Madrid,
Spain as part of a cycle of dialogues put forth by Obra
Social "la Caixa" and New York University's King Juan Carlos
I of Spain Center. Place: Instituto Internacional;
Madrid, Spain
A luncheon was hosted by Dr. Chong
Keon Kim, Chairman of the Korea-Central America & Caribbean
Economic Council, in the Aranjuez Private Banquet Room of the Taberna del Alabardero
Restaurant. Ambassador Albert Ramdin as well as other OAS
Permanent Representatives and officials participated in this
event. The purpose of this luncheon was to discuss matters of
mutual interest in regards to the Hemisphere and to provide an
opportunity for Dr. Kim to continue his personal relationship
with the OAS.
May 10, 2007
OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin met with
diplomats from the Netherlands at OAS Headquarters in
Washington, D.C.
Secretary
General José Miguel Insulza received a courtesy visit from
Ambassador Dominique Struye de Swielande, Permanent Observer
of Belgium to the OAS.
Place: OAS Building - Washington, DC
Ambassador João de Vallera of Portugal
presented his credentials to be Portugal's Permanent Observer
to the OAS to Secretary General José Miguel Insulza at OAS
Headquarters in Washington, D.C.
OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin received the
Permanent Observer of the United Kingdom, Ambassador Alan
Charlton.
Place: OAS Building - Washington, DC
OAS Secretary General José
Miguel Insulza received a courtesy visit from Egypt's
Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for the Americas, Hatem Seif El-Nasr.
On Thursday, March 29, the Secretary
General of the OAS, José Miguel Insulza welcomed at OAS
Headquarters the Chinese delegation headed by the Deputy Mayor
of Shanghai, Yang Xiong.
The World Exposition Shanghai China 2010 is a large scale,
global, non-commercial Expo and the motto is “Better City,
Better Life.” The Expo aims to promote the exchange of ideas
and development of the world economy, culture, science and
technology, to allow exhibitors to publicize and display their
achievements and improve international relationships.
Accordingly, the World Expo, with its more than 150-year
history is regarded as the Olympic Games of the economy,
science and technology of the world. The first World Expo took
place in London in 1851. The Chinese delegation that visited
the OAS also comprised other members of the Organizing
Committee, including Hua Junduo , Zhou Hanmin, Xu Bo, Dai
Minmin, Si Yan and Bob.H.Dong.
On Wednesday, March 28, the Permanent
Observer of China to the OAS, Ambassador Zhou Wenzhong, hosted
a luncheon in honor of the Deputy Mayor of Shanghai and
Chairman of
the World Expo 2010. Ambassador Albert Ramdin, Assistant
Secretary General of the OAS and the Director of the
Department of External Relations, Irene Klinger, attended the
luncheon on behalf of the OAS, among other OAS officials.
The Director General for Bilateral
Political Affairs in Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Vefahan Ocak met with OAS Assistant Secretary General
Albert R. Ramdin at OAS headquarters.
OAS Secretary General José Miguel
Insulza received a courtesy visit from the Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Azerbaijan, Elmar Maharram Mammadyarov, whose
country has been an OAS Permanent Observer since 2001.
The
Department of External Relations coordinated the visit
to the OAS of a high-level delegation of the Government
of Korea which met with the Secretary General of the
Organization of American States, José Miguel Insulza. On
this occasion, the Secretary General reiterated the
importance of strengthening relations with countries
from other regions of the world and thanked Korea for
the support it has provided to the OAS since becoming a
permanent observer in 1981. The delegation was headed by Byung-kil Han, Director General for the Latin American
Affairs Bureau in Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Trade, who extended an invitation to the Secretary
General to visit that country sometime this year. He
also expressed his intention to continue supporting
cooperation projects that benefit the Americas.
OAS Secretary General José
Miguel Insulza met with Gustavo Manuel de Arístegui y San
Román, spokesman for the Popular Party in the Foreign
Affairs Committee of Spain's House of Representatives.
