Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Describes Meeting with John Negroponte as "Cordial and Informative."
After a meeting between President Rafael Correa and the Deputy Secretary of State, John Negroponte, The Minister of Foreign Affairs, María Fernanda Espinosa, stated that Ecuador "does not agree with the format and content of free trade agreements" but added that, "we do agree on mutually beneficial commercial agreements upon which we are willing to start conversations with the United States. Of course the results will be very different from what Ecuador was negotiating in the past."
Minister Espinosa said that she talked about Ecuador’s interest to establish a dialogue with the US and discuss the framework for long term trade relations. The extension of the ATPDEA (Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act) was also discussed. "ATPDEA will be in effect until June, then it will be extended for 2 additional years; therefore we have 2 years to start a discussion about trade agreements", she declared. The Minister added, "The president states that he is against free trade because in the past it has been very detrimental to the livelihoods of the poor farmers" of the country.
The meeting with the Deputy Secretary of State was very "cordial", and according to the Foreign Affairs Minister "he left very pleased" and "insisted on excellent relations between both nations."
"Leadership with Clean Hands"
Espinosa stated that the president spoke with Negroponte in a pleasant tone about the constituent process, the September 30th elections, and the people’s claim for the country’s transformation through a new constitutional framework.
President Correa spoke about the country’s "real transformation" process under his administration, and emphasized that "political democracy can’t exist without economic democracy." The President told Negroponte that the US should not fear the new leaders arising in the continent, especially in Ecuador, because they are leaders with "clean hands". Correa added that Ecuador loves and admires the American people.
Finally, Correa explained the economic plan of his Administration and the strategic lines he has in the social and productive fields.