FOREIGN Ministers of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) met in Quito, Ecuador on Friday to celebrate the entry into force of the UNASUR Constitutive Treaty and discuss the appointment of a Secretary-General. The Treaty was signed in Brazil in May 2008, and required nine ratifications to enter into force. In a highly celebratory atmosphere, Raphael Correa Delgado, President of the Republic of Ecuador, also laid the first stone for the Permanent Headquarters of UNASUR in the City of Mitad Del Mundo.  The headquarters will be named after the first UNASUR Secretary-General, Dr. Nestor Kirchner, who passed away in September last year.

In their meeting held following the celebrations, Foreign Ministers welcomed the entry into force of the Constitutive Treaty and urged the two remaining countries – Brazil and Paraguay – to ratify the Treaty as soon as possible.

With respect to the appointment of a Secretary-General to fill the vacancy left by Dr. Nestor Kirchner, the Foreign Ministers noted that there were two highly qualified candidates, Dr. Ali Rodrigues, former Energy Minister of Venezuela, and Ms. Maria Emma Mejia, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Colombia. The ministers agreed by consensus to propose to the heads of state and government that the two-year term be shared between the two candidates with Ms. Maria being appointed for the first year. Following the concurrence of heads of state and government the appointment will be made.

Recognising that free movement of people is central to any integration mechanism, the Council of Foreign Ministers also examined the agreement for the exemption of visas and the use of identification cards, where possible, for movement within South America. Member states will provide the required specimens to the depositary state, Brazil, after which the necessary internal processes will commence.  

The ministers expressed their solidarity with the government and people of Japan following the earthquake and tsunami which devastated the country.  They pledged to provide assistance in keeping with the needs identified by the Government of Japan.