On the second day of the 47th OAS General Assembly being held in Cancun, Mexico, Foreign Minister Faurie stated yesterday during his speech at the first plenary session that "Argentina believes the OAS can help keep dialogue alive" among all of our States, but also with civil society organizations and other sectors and among our peoples.
"Argentina deeply regrets that the OAS, as a regional forum for dialogue and agreement based on the fundamental principles of peace, democracy and respect for human rights, has not been able to find a way to effectively help to overcome the crisis faced by the sister Republic of Venezuela," added the Foreign Minister.
"My country is particularly concerned about this serious situation, especially in view of the need to ensure a prompt end to violence and respect for human rights; to promptly respond to the emergency of the Venezuelan people; to restore constitutional order with a clear separation of powers; to release political prisoners and to put an end to arbitrary detentions and trials of civilians by non-civilian courts," remarked Faurie, further stating that the call for a Constituent Assembly generates "unease", as it "can only worsen the division that currently exists among the Venezuelan people."
"Argentina is open to find paths of dialogue, closer ties and agreement that are appropriate for situations in which democratic values are under threat," stated the Head of the Foreign Ministry.
Reflecting Argentina's commitment to the Inter-American System of Human Rights, the Foreign Minister reaffirmed, on the part of Argentina, the candidacy of Carlos de Casas to the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights, as proposed by former Foreign Minister Susana Malcorra in February. "We believe that, if elected, de Casas will make valuable contributions to address the challenges currently faced by the system," stated the Foreign Minister.
Finally, Faurie announced that the Argentine delegation will make a thorough presentation on the Question of the Malvinas Islands during the second Plenary Session, at which this will be one of the addressed topics.
In this regard, he added: "I have to express the Argentine people's recognition for the continued support by the OAS for the request to resume negotiations with the United Kingdom, in order to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the sovereignty dispute over the Malvinas, South Georgias and South Sandwich Islands and the surrounding maritime spaces." "We hope that at this 47th Assembly once again a Declaration on the Question of the Malvinas Islands will be unanimously adopted."
Press release No. 249/17
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