- Foreign Minister highlights Paraguay’s confidence in the OAS
- Mercosur statement on the situation in Bolivia
- Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago sign agreement to eliminate visas
ASUNCION, Paraguay – The 54th Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), June 27, 2024, approved the Declaration of Asuncion “Integration and Security for the Sustainable Development in the Region” and 14 resolutions: – International Law – Reference: S-013/24:
Increasing and strengthening the participation of civil society and social actors in the activities of the Organization of American States and in the Summits of the Americas Process;
Convening of the 55th Special Session of the General Assembly to consider and adopt the 2025 program-budget and consider administrative and other budgetary matters;
Coordination of volunteers in the hemisphere in response to disasters and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty – White Helmets Initiative;
The key role of the Inter-American Telecommunication Commission in advancing telecommunications/information and communication technologies;
Pan American Child Congress;
Follow up to the situation in Nicaragua;
Role and parameters for persons who exercise the functions of the Secretary-General and the Assistant Secretary-General of the OAS;
Advancing Hemispheric Initiatives on Integral Development: Promoting Resilience;
Continuing to Drive the Strengthening of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI);
Let’s Promote the Development of Competitive, Safe, Sustainable, and Inclusive Ports;
Promoting connectivity and technology for resilient socio-economic development in the Americas;
Continued efforts toward the immediate restoration of security, strengthening of humanitarian assistance, promotion of socioeconomic development, and support for protecting human rights and democracy in Haiti.
Foreign minister highlights Paraguay’s confidence in the OAS to channel efforts towards common objectives
In his inaugural address as president of the 54th General Assembly of the OAS, foreign minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano said that Paraguay reaffirms its confidence in the Organization of American States to channel “our efforts toward common objectives.”
“I wish to express the Republic of Paraguay’s confidence in this Organization, which has been part of key moments in our history. Hosting this Assembly for the third time is a testament to our commitment to promoting an agenda with concrete and relevant results on issues that are fundamental to our societies,” he said.
“We are aware of the challenges that the 21st century poses to relations between States. We find ourselves in a global context of multiple challenges regarding security, poverty, climate change and violent international conflicts.”
He added that in this situation, the pillars of the OAS maintain their validity and become even more essential; Democracy, human rights, security and comprehensive development must guide peaceful coexistence between nations in a world of uncertainty.
“We live in a region of peace. We do not have armed conflicts between States, however, we face great challenges in terms of security, due to the action of transnational organized crime. This threat transcends borders and all countries suffer its consequences,” he said.
Finally, he expressed that Paraguay is convinced of the importance of effective integration to maximize the impact of our joint actions.
“We do not seek the multiplication of bureaucratic structures in the multilateral sphere. Nor do we intend to achieve a homogeneous and uniform vision. We must build an environment of growing trust, solidarity and genuine collaboration between us,” concluded the chancellor.
Mercosur statement on the situation in Bolivia
The states parties of MERCOSUR and Associated States express their deep concern and strong condemnation of the mobilizations of some units of the Bolivian army, aimed at destabilizing the democratic government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, failing to comply with the international principles of democratic life and, in particular, of MERCOSUR.
Likewise, in accordance with the principles of International Law, they reject any attempt to change power through violence and unconstitutionality that violates the popular will, sovereignty, self-determination of the people and violates the political and social stability of the sister country.
The states parties of MERCOSUR and Associated States express their solidarity and unrestricted support for the democratic institutionality of the constitutional government of president Luis Arce Catacora and his democratically elected authorities and call for the maintenance of democracy and the full validity of the Rule of Law.
Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago sign agreement to eliminate visas
Within the framework of the OAS General Assembly, the signing ceremony of the Agreement between the Republic of Paraguay and the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago on the elimination of visas for holders of diplomatic, official and ordinary passports was held June 27, 2024.
The agreement was signed by the minister of foreign affairs, Rubén Ramírez Lezcano, and the minister of foreign affairs of Trinidad and Tobago, Amery Browne.
Through this agreement, nationals of both parties, holders of valid diplomatic, official or ordinary passports, may enter, move, stay or leave the territory of the other Party, without the need for a visa, for a period of up to 90 days.
The signing of this agreement strengthens the ties of friendship and cooperation between Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago, facilitating the mobility of its citizens and promoting cultural and diplomatic exchange between both countries.