Update: Carter Center Assists Ecuador-Colombia Agreement

Nov. 9, 2009

Ecuadorian Chancellor Fander Falconí met with his Colombian counterpart Jaime Bermúdez in Cotacachi, Ecuador, on Nov. 3, 2009, in a meeting facilitated by Dr. Jennifer McCoy of The Carter Center and José Miguel Insulza of the Organization of the American States (OAS).

Despite the tense climate between the two countries, the bilateral meeting of the Commission for Sensitive Issues resulted in three agreements. Colombia and Ecuador agreed to reactivate the Bi-National Border Commission (Combifron), to name their chargés d'affairs by Nov. 15, and to continue the work of the Commission of Sensitive Issues under the facilitation of the OAS and The Carter Center.

Photo credit: The Carter Center

Jennifer McCoy talks with Ecuadoran Foreign Minister Fander Falconi and Security Minister Miguel Carvajal at La Mirage in Cotacachi, Ecuador during the second meeting of the Ecuador-Colombia Sensitive Issues Commission to normalize relations between the countries.

Colombia and Ecuador broke diplomatic relations on March 3, 2008, after a Colombian military attack on a FARC camp inside Ecuador's sovereign territory.

The Carter Center, together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has supported the work of a dialogue group composed of distinguished citizens from Ecuador and Colombia to improve relations between the two countries since September 2007.

To read more:

Oct. 12, 2009: Carter Center Assists Colombia-Ecuador Agreement

August 7, 2008: Carter Center Works to Improve Bilateral Relationship Between Colombia and Ecuador

June 27, 2008: Carter Center to Continue Ecuador-Colombia Reconciliation Efforts

June 18, 2008: Soccer as a Symbol of Brotherhood Between Colombia and Ecuador

June 6, 2008: Ecuador and Colombia Presidents Accept President Carter's Proposal to Renew Diplomatic Relations at the Level of Chargé d'Affaires, Immediately and Without Preconditions

April 15, 2008: Declaration on Ecuador-Colombia Relations

March 2008: Life on the Edge:  Carter Center Project Examines Development Challenges on Ecuador-Colombia Border