Report

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,