[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 22 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
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117th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 22
Reaffirming the partnership between the United States and the Republic
of Ecuador and recognizing the restoration and advancement of economic
relations, security, and development opportunities in both nations.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
January 28, 2021
Mr. Menendez (for himself, Mr. Risch, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Kaine,
and Mr. Cruz) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Foreign Relations
March 24, 2021
Reported by Mr. Menendez, without amendment
April 15, 2021
Considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Reaffirming the partnership between the United States and the Republic
of Ecuador and recognizing the restoration and advancement of economic
relations, security, and development opportunities in both nations.
Whereas the United States and Ecuador have enjoyed a history of bilateral
partnership and cooperation, and share the aims of promoting democratic
values, economic prosperity, and the security of both nations;
Whereas the United States and Ecuador have taken important steps to restore the
bilateral relationship between the United States and Ecuador, including
by signing various agreements to strengthen economic ties, security
cooperation, and development opportunities;
Whereas President Moreno has signaled Ecuador's commitment to promoting
democratic values and has advocated for greater government transparency;
Whereas, in February 2018, more than 64 percent of Ecuadorians voted, in a
constitutional referendum, to reinstate a 2-term presidential limit, an
effort that was carried out by President Moreno's administration and
which is indicative of the Ecuadorian people's support for presidential
term limits as a reasonable check against a history of corruption and
abuse of power;
Whereas the United States-Ecuador bilateral relationship has been historically
characterized by strong commercial and investment ties through the
Generalized System of Preferences, the United States-Ecuador Trade and
Investment Council, and the Treaty between the United States of America
and the Republic of Ecuador Concerning the Encouragement and Reciprocal
Protection of Investment, done at Washington August 27, 1993, which was
terminated by Ecuador's previous government, effective May 18, 2018;
Whereas President Moreno's administration has committed to implement economic
policies that will lay the groundwork for sustainable economic growth,
while protecting the poorest and most vulnerable people;
Whereas, under President Moreno's leadership, there have been significant
advances in areas related to freedom of expression, including through
the reform of the controversial Ecuadorian Communications Law;
Whereas the Government of Ecuador has called for the peaceful restoration of
democracy and the rule of law in Venezuela and Ecuador has been a
generous host of approximately 385,000 Venezuelan refugees;
Whereas, on May 15, 2019, the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) and Ecuador's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility
signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreeing to the return of the USAID
Mission to Ecuador after the 53-year program was forced to close in 2014
due to tensions in the bilateral relationship;
Whereas Ecuador has been one of the countries most affected by the COVID-19
pandemic in Latin America, which has overwhelmed the country's health
care system and aggravated the country's already challenging economic
situation;
Whereas in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, USAID is providing Ecuador with
technical support and training in diagnostics, and technical assistance
in clinical management, risk communication, and community engagement;
and
Whereas the United States and Ecuador have agreed to advance security
cooperation on law enforcement, counternarcotics, anticorruption, and
bilateral military training and assistance: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) reaffirms its commitment--
(A) to the historic partnership between the United
States and Ecuador; and
(B) to continue working to strengthen the
relationship between the United States and Ecuador
based on mutual respect and shared democratic values
and principles;
(2) recognizes President Lenin Moreno and his
administration for recommitting Ecuador to democratic values,
anti-corruption efforts, and the adoption of economic policies
that will benefit the people of Ecuador;
(3) commends the important steps that President Moreno and
his administration have taken to protect freedom of expression
and freedom of the press in his country;
(4) encourages the Republic of Ecuador to ensure that the
rights of refugees and asylum seekers are protected; and
(5) supports actions to strengthen the historic bilateral
relationship between the United States and Ecuador, including--
(A) by strengthening economic relationships with
Ecuador to build mutual prosperity through greater
transparency, adherence to the rule of law, and support
for human rights;
(B) stronger law enforcement and security
cooperation between the 2 countries, including in
cybersecurity, border management, addressing illegal,
unreported, and unregulated fishing, counternarcotics,
anti-money laundering, military and civilian security
professionalization, and criminal justice capabilities;
(C) the return of the United States Agency for
International Development and the extension of the
Peace Corps Program in Ecuador;
(D) continued United States assistance for
Ecuador's response to combat the COVID-19 pandemic;
(E) closer ties between Americans and Ecuadoreans
through English language learning and teaching programs
that foster greater professional and educational
opportunities;
(F) continued efforts to protect freedom of
expression and freedom of the press; and
(G) continued efforts to ensure that the rights of
refugees and asylum seekers are protected.
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