October 9, 2009 - The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, said he was pleased with progress achieved today in the relations between Colombia and Ecuador in a meeting held between the Ministers of Foreign Relations of said countries, Jaime Bermúdez and Fander Falconí, as well as other state ministers, high government officials, OAS representatives and Carter Center representatives. The meeting was held in the Colombian locality of Ipiales, near the Ecuadorian border.

Insulza, the purpose of whose visit was specifically to attend this meeting, thanked the Presidents of Colombia, Álvaro Uribe, and of Ecuador, Rafael Correa, for the decisive step they took in charging their Foreign Ministers to begin a process of reconciliation for the purpose of reestablishing relations between the two countries, a process that began with the signing of a Mutual Agreement between Ecuador and Colombia on September 24. This process continues today in full force with the establishment of work commissions on Security and Control of Criminality, Border Development and Sensitive Matters.

Insulza also praised the willingness to immediately set in motion the Binational Border Commission (COMBIFRON) that will meet next week in Ibarra, Ecuador, alongside other sub-commissions created for today’s meeting.

“I especially value the good will and enthusiasm with which you have begun your work today,” Insulza said. “With this spirit, I am sure the day isn’t far in which we will see the normalization of relations between these two beloved sister countries, members of our Organization.”

Finally, the Secretary General of the OAS stressed his wish to continue carrying out the work of support and facilitation requested by the two countries’ Foreign Ministers in fulfilling the resolution of the Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Relations held March 17, 2008.