Pichardo to declare Panamanian Supreme Court ruling in favor of PARLACEN as a triumph.

Court declares removal of Panama from Central American Parliament as unconstitutional

Mexican senators advocate for abolishing entry visas to Central Americans

The Mexican senators Eduardo Nava and Francisco Herrara León, both observers at the Central American Parliament PARLACEN, are promoting a legislativ initiative at the Congress of the neighbouring state aiming to abolish entry visas for Central Americans travelling to this country.

This information was given by the Mexican congress members during the general meeting held at the PARLACEN. The congress members added that they were looking for additional senators to advocate this project which aims to be beneficial to Central Americans entering this territory.

At this point the president of the PARLACEN, the Dominican Manolo Pichardo, stressed out that actions like that were necessary to protect fellow citizens of Central America and that the chairing official body follows this efforts.

Pichardo, declaring his contentedness with the proposal filed by the the mexican senators, added that a real regional integration will need the help of all people involved and expressed his hopes that the Mexican parliamentarians will achieve their aim to the benefit of thousands of fellow citizens of this region.

The PARLACEN’s achievements and proposals for the Central American people

In an interview held with the local newspaper Metropolitano de Guatemala, the President of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN), Manolo Pichardo, talks about the importance of the PARLACEN and the initiatives that it brings about for the citizens in this region. Following here is a reproduction of the text.
Newspaper Metropoliano of Guatemala
By Mario Rolando Reyes Barrios
The PARLACEN is working to eliminate the Mexican Visa and the roaming for telephones in the region. Airlines shall charge for flights in Central America like inland flights.
The Central American Parliament, PARLACEN, wants that flights in Central America will be charged like domestic flights and not like one would be travelling to Europe, how it happens a lot today, said the Dominican Manolo Pichardo, President of this regional institution. The regional official pointed out that the PARLACEN also wants the phone companies to eliminate roaming because it is expensive and doesn’t support the regional economy which they aim to strengthen, helping in the end the citizens in the different countries in this region.
He added that the PARLACEN is working together with the Mexican Senate to eliminate the Visa for Central American people, to be able to improve the commercial ties with this Northern neighbor and not to stay isolated as a region but to follow the path of globalization, like the rest of the world.

What is the PARLACEN and what does it represent for Guatemala and the other countries in this region?
‘It is the political body of the System of the Central American Integration (SICA)’, would be the classical response, but said like this it does not reflect the dimension of this parliament. An institution defined like this would be transitory, but in fact it is the most democratic of the whole system for that its representatives are elected through the popular vote, unlike in the other bodies of the system.
But it is still more, because the plurality in the representation gives it more legitimacy and its responsibility to audit the other bodies and organisms of the system and to propose initiatives related to integration, reach a dimension that makes the whole sub regional process of integration more transparent.
The PARLACEN that fore cannot be considered isolated but like one part of the process of integration to which we have contributed to face the challenges of the globalization. Without it we couldn’t be successful because it is the strongest economic instrument that we have to bring about development.                   
What it means for Guatemala and the other countries that make up the PARLACEN is, that we are advancing a process of integration in a transparent way that bears the opportunity to find a sustained development path; it gives us the opportunity to cease legal frames that allow us the design of a regional society with opportunities and with a bigger share in the international community, which in the end will benefit the interests of our men and women.

What is the political impact of that now, 20 yearslater, a Dominican takes the presidency of this regional organism?
I see it like the consolidation of the integration process. The fact that a person who was born outside of the isthmus is its president, gives other Central American Island states, like Haiti and Cuba for example, the chance to start recognizing the necessity to advance in integration, together with the countries that are part of the SICA. But also that the states less committed to the political integration like Costa Rica and Belize, understand that the process doesn’t wait, that the integration has to emerge with more swiftness and that its fore coming depends on political will.
The old criterions of the state-nation bound to anachronistic positions about national sovereignty don’t help a lot in the consolidation of the globalization process of the economies in which capital doesn’t have geographic ties but moves to where it multiplies the easiest.
In our sub regions there aren’t too many economic asymmetries that would make the integration process that difficult. We speak the same language, we practice the same religion, we have common heroes and the same culture, questions that define us like a nation. Why then do we have such trouble creating one geo-economic unity that will lead us to wealth?

From which initiatives and resolutions of the PARLACEN can the Guatemalans and the other Central American citizens benefit?
We bring about initiatives that, besides strengthening the integration process, have a direct impact on the population of the region.
We have proposed that the Central American Presidents work, for example in the case of the airlines, to define a policy of “open skies”, that wouldn’t only reduce the burden on the citizens’ purses who buy the flight tickets and sometimes pay more like for travelling to Europe, but that this also facilitates trade and gives the chance to create a multi-destination, being an alternative for tourists in the SICA countries.
The idea of the “open sky” policy is, or put differently, with these interregional or domestic flights we would combine the ease on the consumers’ purse with the opportunity for our business people to get involved in the air business, being a concrete step towards integration.
Another proposal that was taken to the meeting with the presidents was that the phone calls between the member states of the SICA would be considered local calls so that roaming would be eliminated by that. The idea of the ease on citizens’ purses enters here once again, but it is also true that the telephone companies could increase their gains, because people almost don’t use the phones because of its high costs.
This is also an example of a concrete step towards integration and a policy from which citizens can benefit. It’s important to note that like this business opportunities are being opened up.
We have fulfilled many beneficial initiatives for our citizens, but I would like to mention that from the Commission on International Relations and Migration Topics of the PARLACEN, together with the fellow Mexican senators which are in the observant quality in our institution, we are pushing for a law proposal for the Mexican senate, that will allow the entry of Central American people into Mexico without needing a Visa.
With them and with the same Commission we worked for the approval of decriminalization of undocumented Central Americans in Mexico, a question that has already turned into fact.
We have the commitment to advance to a Central American Integration Process, knowing that the path is there to build a prosperous regional society but we need allies, the ordinary people, the business, academics, students, civil society organizations, parties, churches and everyone else because the integration will be to everyone’s benefit.

PARLACEN MEMBERS AT EUROLAT IN BRUSSELS

Members of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) participated in the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EUROLAT) sessions in Brussels, Belgium, held November 21-23, 2011. EUROLAT is co-presided by the PARLACEN Member of Parliament (MP), for the State of Honduras, Gloria Oquelí and the Spanish Europe-MP Ignacio Salafranca. At this occasion, sessions were held by the three commissions on political, economic and social issues, and by the working group on migration.

These sessions were attended by the MP Roberto Argueta from Honduras, who was designated co-vice president of the EUROLAT commission on economic issues, the MP Jacinto Suárez from Nicaragua and vice president of the PARLACEN, and the MP Ana María Acevedo from the Dominican Republic.

EUROLAT groups together 150 MPs from about 50 countries of Latin America and Europe. Among the main topics in these sessions stood out the worldwide financial crisis, the trade of raw materials, the situation of women, etc. A reunion between PARLACEN MPs and the Europe-MPs of the Delegation for Relations with Central America came about as well, in which were treated certain points of the association agreement between the European Union and Central America, especially the possibility to apply the commercial component tentatively from 2012, besides the issue of the security strategy in Central America.

In all these working sessions and other events within the framework of the EUROLAT three day meeting participated as well high profile European personalities such as the President of the European Parliament, Jerzy Buzek, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Baroness Catherine Ashton, the vice president of the European Commission, Antonio Tijani, and the President of the Euro-Latin American Foundation, Benita Ferrero Waldner. As for Latin America, high institutional executives took part in EUROLAT, such as Alicia Bárcena, executive secretary of the ECLAC, María Mejía, Secretary General of UNASUR, Enrique Iglesias, Secretary General of the Ibero-American Community and many others.

New Board of Central American Parliament for 2011-2012 Period Manolo Pichardo elected as the new President of PARLACEN

On October 28, 2011 the election process for the Board of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) took place, followed by the assumption of office on October 31.
The presidency for the period 2011-2012 will be held by the Dominican Republic, whose Member of Parliament Manuel de Jesús Pichardo Arias was elected as President.
The Vice Presidents were assigned as follows: Óscar Escalante Ayala for Honduras; Jacinto Suárez for Nicaragua; Leonel Vásquez Búcaro for El Salvador and Evarardo De León for the state of Panama.
The secretaries of the Board of Parliament will be the following: Carlos Remberto González for El Salvador, Armando Bardales for Honduras; Alejandro Solorzano for Nicaragua; Cirilo Salas Lemos for Panamá and Edme Arnaud for the Dominican Republic.
It should be noted that the deputy Manolo Pichardo is the first President of the Central American Parliament from the Dominican Republic.

Massage from the president about the forum for political parties and forum of women.

Dorido Jayan Cortez M., president of PARLACEN. Once again, now with the Forum of Political Parties and Political Forum of Women, the Central American Parliament continues to expand his active presence in the regional stage.

Above all, equipped with new powers since the 7 of September 2010, the international activism has enhanced their work in the most important events which are lately made, and in which we have provided criteria’s, initiatives and proposals for a better integration. 20 years of working, - which was celebrated in 2011 -, are the expression of our generational work and stands for the ideal of the member countries which are part of the system to achieve a true integration of isthmus and islands from Central America. Regarding the Political Parties Forum XX we met us to discuss, - in the beautiful colonial city of Antigua, cradle of ancient history, in an echo of our ancestral-, about regional issues like "security, democracy and sustainable development." It is necessary that we have to ask and respond ourselves: “How far we travelled and what is still missing to get over the thorny path of this political process?” The answer to this question falls and depends with the guidelines over the future orientation of the political organizations, especially as their function as key actor, characterized in a script by the uncertainty in our societies. The Forum of Political Parties, like the Central American Parliament, is celebrating their twentieth anniversary which is a basic event that reproduces the nature and aims of the Central American Parliament.

And it turns out that the Central American Parliament is the best expression, perhaps the only one WE HAVE IN CENTRAL AMERICA AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC which brings together the most political parties to move forward to regional challenges of peace, democracy and sustainable development. We have – as an urgent need - a new culture in which the “Integration” and the PARLACEN are together part of the organic view of our projects and political programs. Another field in the debate, in the Women's Forum is dedicated to the question “can an Institutional Strength help to end the impunity of Crimes especially in crimes like Gender Violence and Trafficking in Persons?" It is a question of finding mechanisms that the pictures of criminal and violent behaviors - which are deeply rooted in our society - are coming to an end and that these behaviors are punished in an effective and powerful way. That impunity not prevails. With this forum which calls into the consciousness that is indirectly responsible for this drama of suffering, we strike the nerve to raise this concern and call for the responsibility to combat with a better strength against crimes and impunity. We are aware that the bottom of this issue has deep roots and it´s difficult to exterminate this problem just with ink and paper. They are rooted in cultural patterns of collective mentalities, - not outside - , they are more in construction and historical processes that have been imposed as "normal", the gender violence.

We think about to change this critical reality, of blood and pain, which creates a new mentality, a new culture of values where the dignities, respect, love, equality dominates. In both cases, it is a deserved recognition of the Political Committee and the Women’s Committee, whose efforts for the realization of both events will be probably rewarded with the successful results of these forums. Recognition that we are able to extend the Members of Parliament generally and we can benefit with this situation; for example the National Groups of Members of PARLACEN, whose dynamic in the organization of events for the 20 year anniversary of PARLACEN is showing us and supporting us, because it carries us forward to develop the integration process. It is a win-win situation.

National Meeting of Women in Political Parties in El Salvador

The Central American Parliament, together with the Forum of Women in Political Parties El Salvador and the Legislative Assembly with the support of UN Women, held THE NATIONAL MEETING OF WOMEN IN POLITICAL PARTIES IN EL SALVADOR on Friday August 12th with the theme "let us end gender violence and human trafficking". This meeting was held in order to bring forward proposals on the issue of women's policies in each of the countries of the region.

Among the issues discussed were "the judicial system, the access to justice under the framework of regional institutional strengthening as a necessity against gender violence and human trafficking" as well as "the challenges of El Salvador in the fight for the eradication of gender violence and trafficking in persons", "challenges of politically engaged women in the struggle for the eradication of gender violence” and trafficking in persons.

This event is preparatory for the XI Regional Meeting of Women in Political Parties with the theme: "institutional strengthening to end impunity for crimes of gender violence and trafficking in persons". The results of this national forum will be presented at this event, to be held in the city of Antigua Guatemala on August 21st and 22nd, 2011.

            The purpose of this forum is to seek for an anaysis by women of different political parties in El Salvador, on the situation of gender violence, human trafficking and the different ways in which it affects women in our country. The discussion and examination of public policies from the central and local level shall also be an objective of this forum, as well as the reflection of the uncertainty and impunity for the different types of crimes against women, who have become one of the main themes of regional and national agendas.

MP Gloria Oquelí has been elected as co-president of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly

PARLACEN’s former President and current MP Gloria Oquelí de Macoto has been elected as co-president of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EUROLAT) in Montevideo, Uruguay, on May 19th, 2011, at the plenary session of this important body which groups together 150 MPs from 60 European and Latin-American countries. The Co-presidency is constituted by the MEP Ignacio Salafranca, as European component, and the MP Gloria Oquelí, as Latin-American component.

EUROLAT is a permanent international parliamentary body, created in 2006. Forming part of this very body are 75 MPs of the European Parliament and 75 Latin-American MPs of the PARLACEN and national Parliaments, the Latin-American Parliament, the Andean Parliament and the MERCOSUR Parliament, as well as MPs from Mexico and Chile.

Participation of PARLACEN MPs at the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly

The delegation of PARLACEN MPs to the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EUROLAT) participated in an outstanding way in this very Assembly held in Montevideo, Uruguay, in May 2011. There have been elected as co-president of the EUROLAT the MP Gloria Oquelí and as co-vice president the MP Dorindo Cortez.

Among highly relevant functions and activities of the EUROLAT can be enumerated the following fields of action: EUROLAT promotes the realization of a political, economic, social and cultural strategic alliance between the European Union and Latin America; it is working in the matter of peace, security and defense, while always respecting the principle of sovereignty of each country and acting in the framework of the Charter of the United Nations which EUROLAT keeps always in mind; it gives impulses to the perspectives to amplify commercial relations; it pursues job creation strategies and others like the protection of Latin-American migrants, it demands of industrialised countries the respect of cooperation agreements aimed at their development, especially in favour of a sustainable one, which includes the protection of human, economic and social rights as well as the environment.

More specifically, the relations with the European Union are significant to Central America from a strategic point of view, given that the European Union is the second market for Central American exports, the first source of international cooperation, and an important one of private direct investments and international tourism destined to this region. For Central America’s future development it will be very important to diversify its markets and the sources of international investment.

For more information, please visit the website of EUROLAT:

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/intcoop/eurolat/default_en.htm

Statement of the Board of the Central American Parliament on the Regional Reconciliation

The permanent regional body of political and democratic representation (PARLACEN) of the member countries belongig to the Central American Integration System (SICA) welcomes the signing of "Agreement for National Reconciliation and Consolidation of Democracy in the Republic of Honduras” on May 22nd, in Cartagena de Indias, Republic of Colombia. This Agreement was concluded between His Excellency the President of Honduras, Porfirio Lobo Sosa and former President of the Republic, José Manuel Zelaya Rosales, under the auspices and mediation of the Presidents Hugo Chávez Frías and Juan Manuel Santos of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and Colombia, respectively.
The Cartagena Agreement allows the return of former President Manuel Zelaya to the territory of Honduras under worthy and dignified conditions, as well as the establishment of diplomatic relations between Honduras and the Republic of Nicaragua. Furthermore it not only creates the conditions for Honduras’ reintagration into the Organization of American States- OAS, but also its full participation in the Central American Integration System (SICA).
The restoration of political order in the region and the prevalence of Human Rights, which had been fragmented with the coup that took place in Tegucigalpa on June 28th 2009, is a reason for joy for the people of Central America. These hard times have been overcome and should not be forgotten in order to ensure that it never arise again.
Consistently and in accord with the Cartagena Agreement, the Presidents of the CA-4, agreed on June 22nd, 2011, in the City of Managua, Nicaragua, to provide their full support to the above-mentionned agreement. In addition they have requested all Latin American countries to join the cause in order to secure the prompt return of Honduras to the OAS.
On the occasion of the meeting in Managua and inspired by the ideals of Francisco Morazan, it was seen fit to grant the "Declaration of CA-4 on the Central American Customs Union" and the "Declaration of CA-4 on Central Regional Security. This feeds into the actions undertaken to achieve a regional customs union, as well as jointly face the problem of insecurity that afflicts the population.
The Central American Parliament expresses its full support to all the above actions, which strengthen the democracy of our people, safeguard the protection of Human Rights and nurtures the integration of the countries that form the-SICA. Additionally it  constitutes a clear message to the nations of the world, in so far as justice, respect, dialogue and unity of the sons of one Patria Grande "Centroamérica " prevails in our region.

PRESS RELEASE ON IPU - PROBLEM IN PANAMA

The Central American Parliament as permanent and regional body of democratic and political representation of the Central American Integration System – SICA -, is based on the governing principles of participatory and representative democracy. It is part of the Interparliamentary Union -IPU-, an international organisation that constitutes a focal point for the worlwide parliamentary dialogue and whose main end is peace, democracy and cooperation thoughout the world. In compliance with the Regulation of the World Interparliamentary Union, the Central American Parliament appointed its delegation that will represent the PARLACEN in the 124th ordinary assembly of the mentioned organisation, that will take place from April 15th to 20th 2011 in the city and Republic of Panama.

The legitimate representation of the PARLACEN, as independent body with legal personality of international law, has been blemished by the note sent on April 11th 2011 by Mr. Marcelo Bustos Letelier, Director of the Division of Matters of the Assembly and of relations with other parliaments at the IPU. The letter in an arbitrary manner communicates that they will not proceed to the registration of the Panamenian members of the PARLACEN, in virtue that the State of Panama has declared its withdrawal from the Central American Parliament. These facts are claimed to be the reason for denying accreditation to : the Honorable President Dorindo Jayán Cortez Marciaga and the members of the PARLACEN Román Sandoval González -the Secretary of the board of PARLACEN- , José Octavio Garden -member of the Commission of International Relations and Migration Matters-,  as well as Everardo de Leon de la Rosa member of the Commission of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology. 

This letter turns out to be in violation of international law and very specifically of the Communitarian Law of the Central American Intergration System –SICA-. Mr. Marcelo Bustos Letelier appears to at least wanting to harm the sovereign will of the Panamanian people who by means of universal, direct and secret vote have elected their delegates to represent them at the PARLACEN. The Central American Parliament, that recognizes the full rights of the appointmented Panamenian delegates, is complying with the binding opinion of the Honorable Central American Court of Justice from September 23rd 2009 and its final judgement/ruling from October 20th 2010. The Court has declared inadmissible and unlawfal the unilaterally declared withdrawal from the Central American Parliament by the State of Panama on the one hand, as well as the inapplicability of the Law 78 on the other hand, emitted by the Legislative Assembly of that country. According to Central American Court of Justice, Panama has therefore illegally tried to denounce the constituent Treaty of the regional legal code.

We demand from the Board of administration and from the Executive Committee of the IPU to undertake the corrective and urgent measures, in order to avoid these types of actions in the future, that not only contravene the end, objectives and norms of this international organisation, but also incur the UIP in a serious legal violation. This violation particularly contravenes to part "C)" of article 1 of the Regulation of the UIP, establishing that one of the objectives of this international agency is to contribute to the defense and promotion of the Human Rights that are of universal reach and whose respect is an essential factor of the democracy; such is the case of the right to elect and to be elected. 

An informating and updating Meeting about the Economic Integration of Central America was held

In order to exchange opinions between the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) and the Secretariat of Economic Integration of Central America (SIECA) about the Subsystem of the Economic Integration of Central America an informating and updating meeting was held, Monday, April 11. Members of the Board of Parliament as well as the presidents of the Permanent Commissions participated.

The topics involved in this meeting were the economic integration in line with the  Central American Integration System (SICA), the legal institutional framework: Main instruments in the legislation and the process of ratification and deposits; the advances in the process of economic integration; matters concerning customs and commercial assistance; the Central American Customs Union; the Agreement of a Customs Union between Guatemala and El Salvador; Free-Trade Treaties and the Association Agreement with the European Union; the Incorporation of Panama into the Economic Subsystem.

The opening speech of the event was held by the president of the PARALACEN, Dorindo Cortez and the Secretary General of the SIECA, Ernesto Torres Chico.

PARLACEN supports commitment to strengthen the institutionality in favor of the rights of the Indigenous People and the Ethnic Communities

In a sitting which took place thursday, 24th of march 2011, the Plenum decided to attend the celebrations for the beginning of the New Year 5,127 which is determined by the Nahual Kab’lajuj E, one year prior to the celebration of the Mayan calendar‘s completion of the millennial era which will lead to the beginning of Baqtun 13 as a new era and beginning of changes and constructive events for humanity, according to the Maya‘s philosophy of life. At the same time, the members of Parliament decided to support the commitment of strengthening the institutionality in favor of the rights of the Indigenous People and the Ethnic Communities of the Region, bringing forward the definition of a central american agenda which will facilitate the equitable participation of indigenous peoples and the afro-descendent in the processes of decision making for the procedure of regional integration.

Panamanian Government called on to keep up the dialog with its Indigenous People

During the Declaration of the Plenary Meeting, approved the 24th of march 2011, the assemblymen and -women of the Central American Parliament called on the Panamanian Government to keep up the dialog with its indigenous inhabitants, to acknowledge their indigenous authorities and to conduct appropriate consultations in order to search for solutions via pacific means to their main demands and thus fortifying the governability and the democracy in the region.

The PARLACEN also recommended the Panamanian Government to accept, ratify and comply with the convention 169 of the ILO and the Declaration of the UNO which acknowledges in extenso the Rights of the Indigenous People including the Political Right to participate and to being consulted during decisions which affect their interests and territory.

Moreover, they solicited the Panamanian Government, as a member of the SICA, to implement  the ecological obligations that were apprehended by the regional instruments of integration in the field of environmental and further social development, as well as enhancing its state-run actions in accordance with the Environmental Plan of the Central American Region, PARCA 2010-2014, by issuing, disestablishing or modifying legal norms which will allow to achieve such goals, especially those related to the mining activity.

Finally, they urged the Central American Commission of Environment and Development -CCAD- to watch over the effective realization of the Environmental Plan of the Central American Region, PARCA 2010-2014, and to likewise exploit all means that fall to the ambit of its cognizance in the allegiant compliance of its mandate, so that the use and the exploitation of Natural Resources of the Region may happen in a rational and favorable way for the environment under the approach of a Transgenerational Sustainable Development.

PARLACEN admonishes the Government of Panama to retrieve the migration measures against Nicaraguans

The Central American Parliament condemned the measures taken by the government of Panama concerning the Nicaraguan citizens revenues in this territory as a discriminating policy which is violating the human rights and the fundamental principles of the Central American integration. Likewise the Central American Parliament admonished the Panaman government to retrieve the discriminating measures and to initiate a dialog with the Nicaraguan authorities, to allow free transitions of persons and grant to the security and human rights of the migrants as settled in the principles of public safety in both countries.

SICA’s Secretary General presented report to the Plenary Assembly

On Thursday, February 24, the Secretary General of the Centralamerican Integration System (SICA), Doctor Juan Daniel Alemán, presented his report referring to the working plans, programmes and the adoption of the budget to the plenary assembly of the Central American Parliament. Likewise Doctor Alemán referred to the projects which are scheduled for the present year, protuding a strategy of regional democratic safety.

Temporary President of the SICA Executive Committee provides report

Enforcing some of the new attributions of the Central American Parliament, established in the Reform Protocol of the Constitutive Treaty of the Central American Parliament, on Friday February 25, the temporary president of the Executive Committee of the Centralamerican Integration System (SICA), Alfonso Pimentel, addressed to the plenary assembly and presented his working plans, programmes and the adoption of the budget.

The PARLACEN pronounces on the situation in the Middle East and North Africa

The Central American Parliament – PARLACEN – calls on the people and governments of the Middle East and North Africa to “promote dialogue and political negociation as appropriate mechanism in order to find a negociated way out of the conflict which is taking place at the moment in this region of the earth”.

The proposal for dialogue has been made by means of a resolution adopted by the political body of the regional integration during the plenary session that took place on the 24th of February of the current year.

The declaration of the PARLACEN points out that the “search for political solutions, peace, democracy and development” are “inseperable” in order to find paths to peace Arab countries have to go through.

Likewise, they need to recognize the “right of Arab people, as to one of their main requests, which is the opening of their respective countries to free and democratic elections ; the right way to tackle national and international problems.”

Before the PARLACEN, Members of Parliament infused the declaration with their “concern regarding the ongoing acts of repression in various Arab countries against broad sectors of the population” ; at the same time they alert the international community about the entry of a “period of incertitude” and unforeseeable consequences in “Latin America and in front of which the bodies of the Central American Integration System must define measures”.

In the final part the declaration of the PARLACEN establishes that they will do so with full awareness of the international authorities such as the Secretary-General of the United Nations; the European Parliament; the Regional Latin-American Parliaments; the Legislative Assemblies and the Foreign Ministries of the States which are part of the Central American Integration System (SICA).

PARLACEN recognized relevance for Guatemala to create an Economic and Social Council

The Central American Parliament’s Plenary Assembly adopted Resolution AP/1-226/2011, in which it enthusiastically welcomes the creation of the Social Economic Council that helps to demonstrate to society the importance of achieving common goals.

It also encourages the other Member States of the Central American Integration System to mimic the effort, now made by Guatemala and which El Salvador has already experienced, in order to enhance the capacity of their societies to improve their welfare.

The creation of the Economic and Social Council in Guatemala is an event of great importance since it encourages the institutionalization of social dialogue and the participation of private sector organizations together with trade union organizations. It constitutes an important step for the discussion of proposals and the country’s development projects.

The goals of the Economic and Social Council would be the conviction to secure the support of social organizations, among them different ethnic groups, groups of various socioeconomic levels, regional groups and groups of different professions.

Recognition of Dominican solidarity contribution to the Haitian tragedy

In Resolution AP/2-CCXXVI-2011, the Central American Parliament’s Plenary Assembly reiterated its concern about the current situation in Haiti and demanded a more effective solidarity, complying with its commitments to international organizations, which result in economic aid and institutional re-organization projects, as had been promised by all major powers and the international community.

The parliamentarians also rejected the campaign of defamation and misrepresentation of the truth by some circles and groups at the international level against the Dominican Republic, government and people whose attitude toward the Haitian drama has been helpful, co-operational and of fraternal willingness to collaborate.

Forum “ National Issues Reviewed by the Central American Parliament“

In the presence of the President of Honduras, Porfirio Lobo Sosa, government officials, diplomatic corps and other special guests, the 1st Forum “ National Issues Reviewed by the Central American Parliament“ took place on Thursday, February 17th 2011.

The opening speeches to the event were held by the Vice President of the Central American Parliament for Honduras, Member of Parliament (MP) Hena Ligia Madrid de Torres, who declared that “the realization of this event obliges us to continue this path of success towards a genuine regional integration, now that we need national reconciliation and respect for the participatory ideological pluralism; where the best of the ideologies converge for the wellbeing of the Central American people; where we learn to listen with respectful attention to the diversity of opinions on any matter, without sterile confrontations”.

During his speech, the Vicepresident of the  for PARLACEN for Guatemala, MP Marco Antonio Cornejo, announced that “forums like this one, which were created from the experience of the Central American Parliament, open us the doors towards a mutual and open dialogue which enables us to find integrated and complete solutions to the different problems we are facing on national and regional levels. In fact, if it is possible to bring together such different streams, originating from different countries, in a forum like the Central American Parliament, it should be more manageable on a national level. But for this, personal and selfish positions and interests need to be set aside, so we can open up and listen to solutions coming from other ideological streams, which eventually result to be enriching for the solution and correction of national problems that trouble us”.

The President of Honduras, Porfirio Lobo, expressed at the opening of the event that it was an honour for Honduras to be hosting the forum, whose goal it is to unite the people and the region. He stated that the Central American Parliament is an extensive and advisory pluralistic forum, aiming for peace, harmony and integration of the public and therefor of the Central American nations.

During his statement, the Honduran President also endorsed the establishment of the Institute of Criminal Investigation and of the Multinational Regional Police for Criminal Investigation. “We are ready to send out this important treaty to our people to start a discussion and get approval” he said.

PARLACEN swears in Secretary General of the SIECA

The President of the Central American Parliament, Member of Parliament (MP) Dorindo Cortéz, on behalf of the Plenary Assembly, proceeded to swear Mr. Ernesto Torres Chico in, as Secretary General of the Secretariat of the Economic Integration of Central America (SIECA), during a special ceremony hold on Tuesday, January 27, 2011.

The President of the PARLACEN indicated during his speech that “this day, one of the new attributions of the Central American Parliament begins to become concrete; but even more, it gets materialized – although we are not unaware of the fact that there is still a way to go: the full exercise of democracy and the domination of the communitarian judicial legislation of Central America.”

As the Secretary General of the SIECA, Mr. Torres Chico, took the floor, he declared that, while he leads the SIECA, the central goal will be the deepening of the process of economic integration and the advancement towards a customs union that takes into account the multidimensional approach which the integration requires at the moment.

Finally he said that “I am sure that for this effort we can count on the support of this Honourable Central American Parliament which constitutes the center of the regional political debate, and inspires us to gather our courage that strenghtens our suggestions, activities and programmes, with the consent and the expression of the will of our region’s inhabitants, so that we turn into instruments of the real expression of democracy”.

The swearing-in of the Secretary General of the SIECA is conform to the Protocol of Amendment to the Constituent Treaty of the PARLACEN – article 5 clause f) allows the Central American Parliament to swear elected and appointed persons in, for the high posts of the System, immediately before they take office.

Deliver the agreement proposal of Esquipulas III

During the plenary sitting from Thursday, the 2nd December the Board Secretary,  Member of Parliament (MP) Carlos Gomez Chávarry and the President of the Commission on Integration, Trade and Economic Development, MP Albertina Urbina, presented the Chairman of the Central American Parliament, MP Dorindo Cortéz, the Proposal Report for the Meeting of the Heads of State and Government of  the System for Central American Integration (SICA), regarding the “Esquipulas III, Esquipulas de los Publos” and the results of the Regional Consultation Process.

The development of the proposal for the realization of Esquipulas III is presented as a regional strategy for sustainable human development in Central America and as a consolidation of the regional integration process. This is based on the recognition of Esquipulas I and II as the constitutional and political source of peace in the region, as well as the democratic institutionalization, creating the proper conditions for institutional stability necessary for the economic and social development in Central America.

PARLACEN recommends adopting a regional position at the XVI World Reunion on Climate Change.

The Central American Parliament’s Plenary Assembly approved the Recommendation AP/1-224/2010 in order to have a regional position at the XVI World Reunion on Climate Change, which takes place in Cancún, Mexico, between the 29th of November and 10th of December 2010.

It is advised at the Head of States and Governments Reunion of the Central American Integration System – SICA – that each country should adopt a regional position at the previously mentioned conference, with the aim of adopting an outcome enabling them to reach the economical, social and environmental jurisdiction.

According to the mutual but differentiated responsibility principle, the industrialized countries are required to assume their moral obligations, namely the international acquired commitments.  Therefore, in comparison with the levels of greenhouse gas emission from 1990 there should be a reduction of 40 to 45 % by 2020 and of 90 to 100 % by 2050.

Let there be an appeal to the more developed countries, to increase funding for the necessary adaptation to climate change impacts in order to have an amount equal to 1% of global GDP per year (between 500 and 600 billion USD by 2050) which ought to be additional to the official development assistance.  

Bring to the attention of the international cooperation the urgent need of support of the SICA member states, as a region of increasing environmental, social and economic vulnerability towards the climate change, with the financial support for the definition and implementation of public policies and training programs regarding the sustainable use of natural resources.

They also expressed their firm commitment and support to the COP 16 to achieve a fair and equitable outcome which guarantees the survival of living beings that inhabit planet Earth.

PARLACEN calls for dialogue with Nicaragua and Costa Rica

The Central American Parliament’s Plenary Assembly approved the Resolution AP/2-225/2010 which requests the governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica to use an open and unconditional dialogue to find a peaceful solution concerning the dispute about the river San Juan.
In the resolution the parliamentarians contribute to the conflict resolution between Costa Rica and Nicaragua providing their regional democratic scope. Moreover they call on both countries to settle their dispute soon and unconditionally through a direct bilateral dialogue, concluding for this purpose the Binational Commission meeting, by means of which the previously developed efforts for the densification of boundary-posts in a common border should continue.
It also urges the governments of Costa Rica and Nicaragua to carry out all necessary actions to preserve the ecological balance of the Rio San Juan, an hydro-biological resource which is an ecosystem of great importance for the socio-economic and cultural development for both peoples, for the region and for the rest of humanity.
The Central American Parliament includes high professionals to contribute in resolving the mentioned conflict. In the case given the agreement of the parties to the mentioned process, the honorable Board will be instructed to form the monitoring Commission for this process.
In case of not finding a solution through the direct dialogue and bilateral cooperation, the parties will be urged to submit to the decision of the international judicial mechanisms in the framework of public international law.
Likewise, the parliamentarians from Central America and the Dominican Republic reject any attempt to interference of other states or regions, using the respective issue between the two countries to create provocations against other States in the Americas.

Guatemala, December 2010.

National High Level Dialogue on Migration was held

In Guatemala on Wednesday 24 November, the "National High Level Dialogue on Migration” was held in order to seek cooperation and institutional networking of organizations working on the issue of migration. The conference was organized by the Central American Parliament, together with the Pastoral Care of Migrants of the Guatemalan Episcopal Conference.
The event was attended by Vice-Chairman of the Central American Parliament, member of Parliament Marco Antonio Cornejo; Guatemalan Foreign Minister Haroldo Rodas; Father Mauro Verzeletti, Executive Secretary of the Human Mobility of the Guatemalan Episcopal Conference; Judge Walter Villatoro, Representative of the Supreme Court of Guatemala and Mauro Guzman Mérida, member of Parliament and Chairman of the Migrant Commission of the Republican Congress.
In his speech the Vice President of the Central American Parliament, Marco Antonio Cornejo, said that in developing this activity with the participation of various sectors of government and of the Guatemalan society, it is reached a first exercise of coordination and consensus on the issue of migration and immigration between the Pastoral Care of Migrants of the Guatemalan Episcopal Conference and the Central American Parliament. It was aimed for the development of a national strategy which facilitates advocacy in the migration issues as well as a  strategy which facilitates lobbying to approximate the Integrated Migration Reform, the Program of Temporary Protection -TPS- in the United States as well as the Law Reforms of Migration in Guatemala.
As a result of the event, all parties involved signed an "Agreement for Cooperation and Institutional Networking within the framework of the High Level National Dialogue on Migration”, which aims to develop a first exercise in consensus building about the topic and the constitution of a common agenda.
The document also expressed their willingness to join the generation of a new model of national management and institutional networking on migration issues. Just as their interest and commitment because this national effort can be replicated at a regional level.
Also the proposal to introduce the "National High Level Dialogue on Migration" was ratified as an area to facilitate the joint composition, the design of a common strategy about the migration process through inter-institutional and intersectoral coordination and cooperation.

New Board of Central American Parliament for 2010-2011 Period / Dorindo Cortéz elected as the new President of PARLACEN

The election process of the Board of the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) took place on the 22nd and the assumption of office on the 28th of October 2010. The presidency for the period 2010-2011 is held by the state of Panama, whose Member of Parliament Dorindo Jayan Cortéz Marciaga was elected as President.

PRESS RELEASE- The Protocol of Amendment to the Constituent Treaty of the PARLACEN enters into force

With the deposit of the instrument of ratification of the ‘Protocol of Amendment to the Constituent Treaty of the PARLACEN and other political bodies’, by the government of Honduras on Monday, August 30th at the General Secretariat of SICA (Central American Integration System), the conditions for the new legal instrument to enter into force are fulfilled.

Prior to the ratification by the Honduran government, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic already completed the process. According to Article 28 of this instrument, it enters into force eight days after the date on which the majority of Member States of the Central American Integration System have deposited their instruments of ratification, meaning that it takes effect on September 7, this year.

By changing the legal nature of the institution into a body of proposal and recommendation, it constitutes a permanent regional institution of political and democratic representation of the Central American System of Integration, which has the fundamental objective to realize the integration of Central America.

It accommodates the periods of the Central American representatives to those of the presidential periods of the respective countries.

Among the most important powers, which the Central American Parliament will have from that date on, are to:

• Propose legislation on regional integration matters to the Council of Ministers or respective bodies, who have to respond to PARLACEN within 180 days.
• Propose initiatives to expand or refine the Central American integration process, with measures it considers appropriate.
• Know of the appointments to top leadership positions of the organs, agencies and institutions of integration, as well as their swearing-in at the heart of the Plenary Assembly.
• Contribute to the consolidation of a democratic, pluralistic and participatory system within the Central American countries.
• Contribute to the strengthening of the respect and full validity of human rights in the region, as well as the compliance with Community law and international law.
• Participate in the Meeting of the Heads of State and Government, the Vice-presidents and Council of Ministers  of SICA meetings, as well as in the Meetings of the Council of Ministers.
• Emit its opinion on any illustrative prior agreement or treaty to be signed by the Member States, when directly related to the integration.
• Integrate special commissions for the treatment of topics that entail disagreements between the Member States of the SICA, which may affect the smooth progress of integration.
• Be aware of the budget of the institutions of the Central American Integration System and monitor its implementation, requesting information or clarification.

Political women analyse challenges in the matter of legislation in order to eradicate Gender violence

Within the scope of the 10th regional meeting of women of political parties “Woman and regional integration, opposite to Gender violence”, organized by the Central American Parliament, the participants analysed the challenges in the matter of legislation in order to stop the Gender violence in the region. The panel was formed by the MPs Sonia Segura, from the Congress of the Republic of Guatemala; Gracia María Larrave, from the Central American Parliament; and Doctor Mirta Larios, President of the Forum of Women of Political Parties of Nicaragua; the moderador was the member of the PARLACEN Hena Ligia Madrid.

In turn, the member of the PARLACEN, Xanthis Suárez moderated the panel about “Woman and regional integration, opposite to Gender violence, progresses and perspectives”, in which participated as exponents, Alejandrina Germán, Minister of Women of the Dominican Republic and President for a set time of the COMMCA; Miriam Maldonado, coordinator in Guatemala of the Forum of Women for the Central American integration (FMICA) and the member of the PARLACEN Albertina Urbina Zelaya.

President of El Salvador opens political parties conference

The 19th Central American and Caribbean Conference of political parties “From the intergovernmental cooperation to the communitarian integration”, organized by the political and party subjects of the Central American Parliament treating commission, was opened on Tuesday, the 24th of August, by the President of the Republic of El Salvador, Mauricio Funes.

The ceremony counted as well with the presence of the vice president of the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador, Sigfrido Reyes; the President of the Central American Parliament, Jacinto Suárez; the vice president of the PARLACEN, Nidia Díaz and the mayor of San Salvador, Norman Quijano.

At this conference, which delegates from approximately 54 political parties of Central America and the Dominican Republic attended, themes were discussed such as “Analysis of the Central American integration, progresses, obstacles and challenges”, which was treated by Doctor Juan Daniel Alemán, Secretary-General of the SICA; or “Towards the communitarian and Caribbean integration. The European Union as reference”.

Other themes were “The Central American Parliament’s vision on the integration process”, which was in the charge of the Central American MP, Rudolfo Dougherty; and “The responsability of the political parties in the integration process”, in the charge of the MP Sigfrido Reyes, First vice president of the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador.

VICEPRESIDENT OF PARLACEN PARTICIPATED IN CONFERENCE ABOUT HAITI IN SPAIN

From July 16 to 18, 2010, the European Conference for the Reconstruction and Stabilization of Haiti took place in the city of Lugo, Spain. The agenda focused on analyzing the current situation in the Republic of Haiti after the tragic earthquake on January, 12 and on debating the progress and perspectives of the reconstruction process. Additionally, the exchange of information about actions and projects executed by the European Union and its member states, the national agencies for cooperation and development, and the different international and European bodies was instigated.

Governments and international institutions presented the projects and actions currently carried out in the Republic of Haiti and analyzed jointly the possible mechanisms and initiatives to enhance the effectiveness of the actions and how to speed up the reconstruction process.

The Vicepresident of the Central American Parliament, deputy Sebastino Brito from the Dominican Republic, attended this conference and delivered a speech at the opening of this event, in which ministers and officials from Haiti, several American and European governments and representatives of international organizations like the World Bank, the Organization of American States, the United Nations, the Organization of Ibero-American States, and others participated. Also Dr. Ricardo Lagos Andino, PARLACEN representative in Europe, attended this event. The conference was sponsored by the Government of Spain, the City of Lugo, the European Parliament, the Central American Parliament and others.

European Parliament delegation visits the PARLACEN

A delegation of Members of the European Parliament, formed by Emine Bozkurt - the chairwoman - as well as Inés Ayala Sender and Boguslaw Sonik, visited the Central American Parliament in Guatemala City on Thursday, May 27. During their participation in the plenary meeting they presented, inter alia, a status report of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America.

As a result of their visit to the PARLACEN, they signed the following declaration:

The delegation of the European Parliament for Central America and the Board of the Central American Parliament

Assembled in the seat of the PARLACEN, in Guatemala City, on the 27th of  May 2010, with the objective of continuing the strengthening of the strategic bi-regional relations, before the European and the Central American people:

We declare:

1. Our profound satisfaction for the completion of the Association Agreement between Central America and the European Union which marks a milestone of the relations between our regions, being the first agreement worldwide which is embedded in an inter- regional context.

2. Our commitment, as political organisms of both integration processes, to advance, to develop and to inspect the faithfull fulfillment of the fundamental principles and values anchored in the Agreement, such as: the democratic institutionalization, the sovereignty of the states, the respect for the culture and the development of the people, the promotion of the human and social rights, the solidarity; the integrative participation of all social sectors; the development cooperation fitting with the national and regional plans; and a trade directed towards the full and sustainable development of our people, with a high commitment to the respect for the biodiversity and the natural resources.

3. Our high expectation on the Political Dialogue which was created within the scope of this new bi-regional society between Central America and the European Union, and must be aimed at the strengthening of our regional integration processes and its institutionalization of the community. After the ratification of the Agreement by both sides, we agree to advance the early appointment of our representatives before the Parliamentarian Committee of the Association, for its early establishment and functioning.

4. The creation of the Latin America Investment Facility (LAIF) meets with our approval.

5. We take note of the aforementioned Agreement so that the European Union establishes this investment facility in order to support the productive transformation of the Latin American region in view of the existing asymmetries.

6. Our commitment, out of our parliamentary function, is to keep track of the high level dialogue on migration issues, which insists on the fact that the migration policies and practices of both regions ensure the respect of the fundamental rights of all migrants as much as an orderly, informed and safe management of the migration flows based on the principle of shared responsability; it points out that the existence of efficient norms in the matter of irregular immigration prevention - including the return of immigrants in irregular situation under dignified conditions and norms against the illegal employment – is closely linked to the promotion of the regular immigration which is again connected with the necessities of the labour markets and the integration.

JACINTO SUAREZ ELECTED AS CO-VICEPRESIDENT OF EUROLAT

Jacinto Suárez, President of the Central American Parliament and member of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSLN), has been elected as Co-Vicepresident of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly (EUROLAT) during the IV plenary session of this Bi-regional institution on 15th of Mai in Sevilla, Spain.

The Spanish euro-deputy, Ignacio Salafranca, member of the European People's Party and Luis Fernando Duque, president of the Andean Parliament and member of the liberal party of Colombia preside   the Executive Bureau of EUROLAT.

They also integrate other leaders from Europe and Latin America as for example the christian democratic co-vicepresident Jorge Pizarro, President of the Senate of the Republic of Chile, and Willy Meyer, member of the left group of the European Parliament.

The Executive Bureau of EUROLAT meets three times a year and the plenary sessions take place once a year. The Standing Committee which meets every six month alternates between Europe and Latin America.

EUROLAT is a joint multilateral Parliamentary Assembly composed of 150 members coming from 60 European and Latin American countries. Among these members, 14 deputies come from the six member states of the PARLACEN.

Between 2006 and 2009 the Latin American Parliament carried out the co-presidency of EUROLAT. Currently the Andean Parliament holds this position and between 2011 and 2013 the PARLACEN will hold the co-presidency.

For more information, see:

www.europarl.europa.eu/intcoop/eurolat/presidency_and_bureau/members_en.htm

EuroLat support for PARLACEN and Central American integration

The Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly, meeting in Seville from 13 to May 15, 2010, met a proposed resolution supporting PARLACEN submitted by 20 representatives from several Latin American and European countries, by which it supports the process of ratification of the protocol of amendments to PARLACEN which involve new functions for PARLACEN.

Also the co-president of EuroLat, the Euro-MP Ignacio Salafranca agreed to this proposal at the last plenary meeting of EUROLAT in Seville on May 15, 2010. The text of the proposal asks the President of Panama to reconsider his position in regard to the Central American Parliament.

EuroLat consists of 150 European and Latin American members from 60 countries in both regions and its members are representatives of the European Parliament, the Latin American Parliament, PARLACEN, the Andean Parliament, the Parliament of Mercosur and others.

EuroLat adopted an address to the 6th summit of heads of state and government of 60 countries of the European Union and Latin America in Madrid, Spain, on May 18, 2010, which contains among others the following proposals and recommendations:

Support the various Latin American regional integration processes that form the basis of the strategic Bi-regional Partnership; support the process leading to the conclusion of the Association Agreement between the European Union and Central America and the re-opening of negotiations on an Association Agreement with Mercosur;

Support the process leading to the signing of the Multipartite Agreement between the European Union and the countries of the Andean Community and the updating and upgrading of the EU-CAN Political and Cooperation Agreement of 2003;

Support the creation of the Europe – Latin America and Caribbean Foundation, whose primary purpose would be to help prepare for the summits, follow-up on the decisions and political courses of action adopted at the summits, and act as a forum for dialogue and coordination in the periods between summits for all the political, institutional, academic and civil society bodies working to strengthen Euro-Latin American relations;

Create, under the supervision and coordination of that Foundation, a Migration Observatory for the Euro-Latin American area, responsible for permanently and closely monitoring all issues connected with migratory flows in this area;

Stress that the migration policies and practices of both regions should ensure that the fundamental rights of all migrants are upheld and that the management of migration flows is orderly, informed and safe and based on the principle of shared responsibility.

Central American Parliamentarians participate at the Fourth Ordinary Plenary Session of EuroLat

A delegation of representatives of the Central American Parliament is participating at the Fourth Ordinary Plenary Session of the Euro-Latin America Parliamentary Assembly (EuroLat), which takes place from May 13 till 15, 2010 at the conference and exhibition centre of Seville, Spain.

Within the framework of the regular plenary session of EuroLat, the committees of political affairs, security and human rights; social affairs, human interaction, the environment, education and culture; the economic, financial and commercial affairs; as well as the working group on “European Union- Latin America and the Caribbean (EU-LAC) Migration Issues” will also be meeting.

The delegation of PARLACEN is formed by the female representatives Gloria Oquelí, Xanthis Suárez, as well as by the male representatives Rodolfo Dougherty, Francisco Campbell, Eliseo Núñez, Roberto Argueta, José Huerta and José Leonel Búcaro.

EuroLat is a joint multilateral Parliamentarian Assembly composed of members of the European Parliament, the Latin American Parliament, the Andean Parliament, the Central American Parliament and the Parliament of Mercosur. Its importance is that it provides a parliamentary dimension to relations between the European Union and Latin America, represents a level of democratic legitimacy and parliamentary control of the political dialogue, the cooperation and the bi-regional economic relations in favour of transparency.

Presentation of the ‘PAIRCA II’ Program to the President of PARLACEN

During a Meeting, held in Guatemala city from 19th to 20th April, the executive director of the Central American System of Integration (SICA), Edgar Chamorro Marín, presented the Second Program to Support the Central American Integration (PAIRCA II) to the president of the Central American Parliament, Jacinto Suárez Espinoza. This program is funded by the European Union.

At the meeting, the guidelines of the management of PAIRCA II, the formulation of the projects as well as their working plans were presented.

The program was also presented to PARLACEN, represented by Vice President Nidia Díaz; the secretary of the Board of Parliament Carlos Morales Estupinián; the Nicaraguan Member of Parliament, Albertina Urbina; the secretary for Parliamentary Affairs Héctor Ruano and the adviser Patricia Marmol. The SICA was represented by the administrator of PAIRCA II, Ricardo Cáceres; the accountant, Oscar Romero; as well as the consultants Héctor Dada, Rony Abiú, Fernando Cortes and Diego Ruiz.

Inauguration of the Esquipulas Regional Forum

With the President of the Republic of Guatemala, Álvaro Colom, as well as the Vice-President Rafael Espada being present on Wednesday, 21st April, the inauguration of the Esquipulas regional forum “Post-conflict Social and Economic Challenges in Central America” was carried out.

At this event one could count on the participation of Licenciado Vinicio Cerezo Arévalo, former president of the Republic of Guatemala and founding president of the Esquipulas foundation for the Central American integratio the former president of Guatemala and metropolitan mayor Álvaro Arzú; the former President of Peru, Alejandro Toledo; the former President of Panama, Martín Torrijos; and the former President of Colombia, Ernesto Samper; the Secretary General of the Central American Integration System, Juan Daniel Alemán and the Secretary General of the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO), Francisco Rojas Aravena.

The program consists of five panels, including firstly: the post conflict, secondly: social development vs. economic growth, thirdly: economic recovery, fourthly: democratic governability and finally: urban security and regional defense.

On Thursday 22nd (April), in the panel on democratic governability, the President of the Central American Parliament, Jacinto Suárez Espinoza referred to the function of PARLACEN and the System of regional Integration for the governability and institutional strengthening of Central America and the Caribbean.

EUROLAT: realization of the important meeting of the Board and the Working Group on Migration issues

In the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina on 30th and 31st March 2010 the meeting of the Board of the Euro-Latin American Parliamentary Assembly – EUROLAT- and the working group on Migration issues on the relations between the European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean was materialized. Both meetings took place at the National Congress.

At these activities, the Central American Parliament was represented by its President, Jacinto Suárez and the Member of Parliament Rodolfo Dougherty, Vice-President of the political commission and the Parliamentary affairs of PARLACEN and Member of EUROLAT.

Likewise, one could count on the participation of the representatives of the Mercosur Parliament, the Andean Parliament, the Latin American Parliament, the Parliaments of the United Mexican States and Chile, as well as the European Parliament.

At those meetings the participating parliamentarians talked - among other subjects- about the aftermaths of the tragedies of Haiti and Chile after the occurred earthquakes. In regard to that the necessity of bringing natural disasters prevention mechanisms to perfection, was agreed upon. An increased cooperation in this subject matter between both regions was brought about, and even the possibility of creating a supranational body of Latin America for the prevention of natural disasters was observed. More rigorous standards for the construction of buildings in the seismic regions were also encouraged. Moreover the creation of a Latin America – European Union forum for the prevention of natural disasters and humanitarian aid was promoted.

Resolution AP/12-217/2010, "On the Decision of the Central American States and the European Union Regarding the Negotiation of an Association Agreement"

During the plenary assembly the deputies of the Central American Parliament adopted the Resolution AP/12-217/2010, „On the Decision of the Central American States and the European Union Regarding the Negotiation of an Association Agreement Region to Region“.
The operative part of the document states:

1. Demonstrate before the Governments of the Member States the need to effectively assume the commitments made in the legal system of Central American integration and to participate in negotiating the European Union - Central America Association Agreement jointly, in terms not only of tactics but resources and negotiating strategies.
2. Manifest to the same meeting of Heads of State and Government the importance of honoring the commitments made in the negotiations mentioned, including the bargaining AND Coordination structure agreed,in the EU - Central America Association Agreement, addressed to strengthening the political and economic relations and the bi-regional cooperation.
3. Request to continue, based on the points indicated by the Central American Court of Justice, the negotiation process on the EU-Central America Association Agreement as agreed and not to allow that any state takes part individually as proposed by the state of Panama and the state of Costa Rica
4. Emphasize to the Heads of State and Government that the participation of all member states of the Integration System, particularly the State of Panama, in the negotiations for the EU-Central America Association Agreement is contingent upon effective participation in the parliamentary body of the integration, the Central American Parliament, and that therefore barriers that violate the rights of the legitimately elected Central American deputies, certified and sworn in by the body, should be eliminated.