A delegation from the Canadian Section of
ParlAmericas (formerly the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas) attended
the 41st Regular Session of the General Assembly of the Organization of
American States (OAS) in San Salvador, El Salvador from June 5-7, 2011. The
delegation was led by Mr. Randy Hoback, M.P., and included the Honourable Percy
Downe, Senator. The delegation was accompanied by Mr. Leif-Erik Aune,
Association Secretary.
The members of the delegation from the
Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (formerly, the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of
the Americas) had a particular interest in the main theme of the Assembly, Citizen
Security, as the theme of the 8th Plenary Assembly of ParlAmericas is to
hold meetings on the same theme. In addition, in his capacity as interim
President of ParlAmericas, Mr. Randy Hoback, M.P. was also interested in
discussing the possibility of a memorandum of understanding between the OAS and
ParlAmericas.
Although ParlAmericas was created by an OAS
Resolution in 1999, it was never formally granted defined status within the OAS
framework. As a result, parliamentary delegations from across the Americas had
to apply for permission to attend OAS General Assemblies under a special
status. This arrangement left parliamentary delegations with uncertainty, as
invitations from the OAS would not be extended to special status applicants
until very near to the date of the General Assembly. As a result, Mr. Hoback,
in his capacity as interim President of ParlAmericas, sought to define and
strengthen the relationship between the OAS and ParlAmericas, to facilitate
parliamentary participation in major activities of the OAS, such as the annual
General Assembly.
The delegation observed the Plenary Sessions,
which included regular business items such as
elections, activity reports and adoption of resolutions and program-budget.
These sessions provided useful summary information on the views of OAS member
states, as the Heads of each delegation presented their countries’ views on the
theme of the General Assembly and on hemispheric priorities such as peace,
security, democracy, human rights, development and cooperation.
The Plenary Sessions also provided a forum
for the presentation of views and to report progress on standing questions such
as on the Malvinas Islands. The Declaration of San Salvador on Citizen
Security in the Americas was approved at the final Session (see
Appendix 1).
The mission was not only an opportunity to
observe the meetings as part of the General Assembly agenda but also to promote
ParlAmericas and to gain support for furthering the linkages between
ParlAmericas and the OAS. As a special guest of the OAS General Assembly,
ParlAmericas promotes the role of parliaments in the General Assembly and
Summits of the Americas processes, and annual representation at these events is
critical to maintaining the presence of the legislative branch in high-level
inter-American activities.
Mr. Hoback met with OAS Secretary General Mr.
José Miguel Insulza. Mr. Hoback and Mr. Insulza discussed the preparatory work
that went into the draft Declaration of San Salvador, and Mr. Hoback
congratulated Mr. Insulza on the quality of the declaration. Mr. Hoback and
Mr. Insulza also discussed ParlAmericas and the prospects for the organization’s
growth. Mr. Hoback invited Mr. Insulza to attend the 8th ParlAmericas Plenary
Assembly in Asuncion, Paraguay, in September 2011, and Mr. Insulza ensured that
he would endeavour to include this event in his calendar of activities.
Turning to matters of cooperation between ParlAmericas and the OAS, Mr. Hoback
suggested to Mr. Insulza that the moment was right to begin discussions in
earnest on a Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations. Mr.
Insulza expressed his agreement and committed the full support of his office in
collaborating on a draft MOU in 2011.
Mr. Hoback also met with His Excellency Mr.
Sigfrido Reyes Morales, President of the Legislative Assembly of El Salvador.
Mr. Hoback expressed warm greetings on behalf of the Parliament of Canada, and
encouraged President Reyes to promote ParlAmericas amongst the members of the
Salvadorian Legislative Assembly. President Reyes thanked Mr. Hoback for
visiting El Salvador and for his efforts in promoting inter-parliamentary linkages
in the Americas. Mr. Hoback advised President Reyes of ParlAmericas’s
strategic plans to broaden the organization’s reach and to enhance
parliamentary diplomacy in the Americas. President Reyes applauded these
efforts and committed to sharing information on ParlAmericas amongst his
parliamentary colleagues. Turning to the Canada-El Salvador bilateral
relationship, President Reyes commented on the positive relationship between
the two countries, although entry visas to Canada were difficult to obtain for
Salvadorians. President Reyes also noted that a free trade agreement with
Canada was not as interesting to El Salvador as cooperation on development, and
high profile people-to-people exchanges.
The Canadian delegation would like to thank
the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Ambassador Marianick
Tremblay, Ambassador Allan Culham, General Guy
Thibeault and the Foreign Service Officers who were on site in San Salvador.
The delegation was strongly supported by the staff of the Canadian Embassy in
El Salvador.
Respectfully submitted,
Randy Hoback, M.P.
Chair, Canadian Section of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum
of the Americas (FIPA)