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.

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 Ecuadors 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 Morenos administration and which is indicative of the Ecuadorian peoples 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 Ecuadors previous government, effective May 18, 2018; Whereas President Morenos 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 Morenos 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 Ecuadors 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 COVID19 pandemic in Latin America, with more than 42,000 confirmed cases and approximately 3,500 deaths as of June 5, 2020, which has overwhelmed the countrys health care system and aggravated the countrys already challenging economic situation; Whereas in response to the COVID19 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 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) the establishment of robust bilateral trade and investment frameworks with Ecuador to build mutual prosperity through greater transparency and competitiveness; (B) stronger law enforcement and security cooperation between the two countries, including in cybersecurity, border management, 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 Ecuadors response to combat the COVID19 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.

Summary: This resolution reaffirms the Senate's commitment to the historic partnership between the United States and Ecuador, and it supports actions to strengthen this bilateral relationship. Further, it recognizes President Moreno and his administration for committing to democratic values and commends President Moreno for taking steps to protect freedom of expression and freedom of the press in Ecuador.