RESOLUTION OF THE TWENTY-FIFTH MEETING OF CONSULTATION OF MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS[1]

CONSIDERING: 

That the Organization of American States is fully competent to address any facts and events that may endanger hemispheric peace and security; 

That one of the purposes of the OAS is respect for the personality, sovereignty, and independence of states, as well as the faithful fulfillment of obligations derived from treaties and other sources of international law; and 

That among the essential purposes of the OAS Charter is “[t]o strengthen the peace and security of the continent” and “to ensure the pacific settlement of disputes that may arise among the Member States”;  and 

TAKING UP the text of the resolution of the Permanent Council of March 5, 2008 and of the declaration of the XX Meeting of Presidents of the Rio Group on March 7, 2008, 

RESOLVES: 

1.         To welcome the “Declaration of the Heads of State and Government of the Group of Rio on the recent events between Ecuador and Colombia,” adopted in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on March 7, 2008, and to underscore its contribution to the easing of tensions and to rapprochement between the Parties, based on the principle of international law.

2.         To reaffirm the full applicability of the principles enshrined in international law of respect for sovereignty, abstention from the threat or use of force, and noninterference in the internal affairs of other states, which are embodied in Article 19 of the Charter and are founding principles of the inter-American system—principles that are binding on all its member states in all circumstances.

3.         To reaffirm the full applicability of the principle of territorial sovereignty, enshrined unrestrictedly and without any exception in Article 21 of the OAS Charter, as a vital principle for harmonious relations among the nations of the Americas.

4.         To reject the incursion by Colombian military forces and police personnel into the territory of Ecuador, in the Province of Sucumbíos, on March 1, 2008, carried out without the knowledge or prior consent of the Government of Ecuador, since it was a clear violation of Articles 19 and 21 of the OAS Charter.

5.         To take note of the full apology for the events that occurred and the pledge by Colombia, expressed by its President to the Rio Group and reiterated by its delegation at this Meeting of Consultation, that they would not be repeated under any circumstances.

6.         To reiterate the firm commitment of all member states to combat threats to security caused by the actions of irregular groups or criminal organizations, especially those associated with drug trafficking;

7.         To instruct the Secretary General to use his good offices to implement a mechanism for observing compliance with this resolution and the restoration of an atmosphere of trust between the two Parties.

8.         To take note of the report submitted by the Commission headed by the Secretary General and composed of the Chair of the Permanent Council and Permanent Representative of The Bahamas, Ambassador Cornelius Smith; and by the Permanent Representatives of Argentina, Ambassador Rodolfo Gil; Brazil, Ambassador Osmar Chohfi;  Panama, Ambassador Arístides Royo;  and Peru, Ambassador María Zavala; and to thank all of them for their outstanding efforts.

9.         To keep this Meeting of Consultation open and hold its next session during the upcoming regular session of the General Assembly, in order to receive a report by the Secretary General on the implementation of this resolution.