Title: A 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.
Policy area: International Affairs

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.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 632 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 632

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

                             June 18, 2020

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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, with more than 42,000 confirmed cases and 
        approximately 3,500 deaths as of June 5, 2020, 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) 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 
                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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